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Abstract:

In an image network system used for network print service which receives
an order for printing or the like by using a communication network such
as the Internet, there are provided a center server capable of providing
service which is different depending upon points given to a customer
according to an order track record, at a time of using the system,
capable of suitably setting a storage capacity and a storage period of an
image for a user without placing a burden on the user while importance is
placed on an operational efficiency of the system, capable of allowing a
user to upload images as many as possible in an album, and useful for
prompting an order, and an image network system including the center
server.

Claims:

1. A server for an image network system, connecting a user terminal via a
communication network, for receiving image data of one or more images to
be uploaded from the user terminal via the communication network,
comprising: an image storage unit which stores the received image data of
the one or more images uploaded from the user terminal via the
communication network; an image management unit which manages for each
user the image data received from the user terminal; and a capacity
management unit which obtains for each user a total value of a storage
capacity of the image data stored by the image storage unit, and manages
whether or not the total value is within such a range as not to exceed a
predetermined upper limit value of the storage capacity for each user,
wherein in a case where the capacity management unit judges that the
total value for an user exceeds the predetermined upper limit value for
the user, the capacity management unit notifies the user terminal of the
user and causes the user terminal of the user to display thereon one or
more countermeasures for preventing the total value for the user from
exceeding the predetermined upper limit value for the user.

2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the image storage unit stores
the image data of the uploaded one or more images as an album managed for
each user by the image management unit, the capacity management unit
causes the user terminal of the user to display thereon as the one or
more countermeasures at least one of reselection of an image to be
uploaded, deletion of the image in the album, reduction in image size of
the image in the album, compression of the image in the album, and change
of format of the image.

3. The server according to claim 1, wherein, before the one or more
countermeasures are carried out, one or more images which have been
selected up for uploading and are not stored by the image storage unit
because the total value exceeds the predetermined upper limit value are
stored as one or more upload candidate images in the user terminal or the
server, after the one or more countermeasures have been carried out, the
one or more upload candidate images stored in the user terminal or the
server are displayed on the user terminal to cause the user to select up
again one or more images for uploading in the one or more upload
candidate images.

4. The server according to claim 1, wherein one or more upload candidate
images to be selected up for uploading are displayed as one or more
thumbnail images on the user terminal for selecting of the user in case
that the one or more images of the user are uploaded from the user
terminal to the server.

5. The server according to claim 1, wherein, every time an image to be
uploaded is selected by the user terminal, the capacity management unit
calculates a capacity of image data of the selected image, adds the
capacity of image data of the selected image to the total value of the
capacity of the image data of the images which have been already stored
in the image storage unit to obtain an added total value, and judges
whether or not the added total value exceeds the predetermined upper
limit value of the storage capacity for each user.

6. The server according to claim 1, wherein, when all images to be
uploaded have been selected by the user terminal, the capacity management
unit calculates a capacities of image data of the selected all images,
adds the capacities of image data of the selected all images to the total
value of the capacity of the image data of the images which have been
already stored in the image storage unit to obtain an added total value,
and judges whether or not the added total value exceeds the predetermined
upper limit value of the storage capacity for each user.

7. The server according to claim 1, further comprising: a member
registration/authentication unit which registers members, changes
registered member information, and authenticates registered members; a
digital album unit which uploads an image through the user terminal,
stores images of each member as a digital album in the image storage
unit, enables the member to display one or more album images in the own
digital album through the user terminal to enable the member to view the
one or more album images, and enables the member to rotate the displayed
one or more album images or view them in a slide show; and a share box
unit which enables the member to publicly offer the one or more album
images in the own digital album to a third party.

8. An image network system comprising: the server according to claim 1;
and user terminals, each transmitting image data of one or more images
for uploading to the server.

9. A method of storing and managing image data, comprising: receiving
image data of one or more images to be uploaded from a user terminal via
a communication network with a server for an image network system
connecting the user terminal via a communication network; storing the
received image data of the one or more images uploaded from the user
terminal via the communication network with the server; managing for each
user the image data received from the user terminal with the server;
obtaining for each user a total value of a storage capacity of the image
data stored by the image storage unit with the server; managing whether
or not the total value is within such a range as not to exceed a
predetermined upper limit value of the storage capacity for each user
with the server; and in a case where the capacity management unit judges
that the total value for an user exceeds the predetermined upper limit
value for the user, notifying the user terminal of the user with the
server and causing the user terminal of the user with the server to
display thereon one or more countermeasures for preventing the total
value for the user from exceeding the predetermined upper limit value for
the user.

Description:

[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.
13/447,804, filed Apr. 16, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/802,014, filed May 18, 2007, now abandoned, which
claims priority from JP 2006-140148 and JP 2006-140704, both filed May
19, 2006, and JP 2006-143092, filed May 23, 2006, each incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The entire contents of the document cited in this specification are
herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a center server for placing an
order for photograph printing which uses a communication network such as
the Internet, and an image network system including the center server.

[0004] In recent years, digital cameras have rapidly gained in popularity.
Communication networks such as the Internet have also come into wide use.

[0005] An image shot with a digital camera is treated as digital image
data. Thus, the image can be transmitted through the communication
network, and various services have been proposed/deployed by using the
communication network.

[0006] For example, JP 2005-49933 A discloses a system which enables, in a
network photograph service for storing an image (image data) of a service
user in a server connected by using a communication network such as the
Internet and for publicly offering this image to a third party, the load
on a service operator to be reduced by counting the image data amount for
each customer, changing service contents such as expiration date or
storage amount according to the user's state of use, and sending an error
message to inhibit further transfer/storage of images when the amount of
image data exceeds the maximum storage amount irrespective of whether the
image data is for an unordered image or an ordered image.

[0007] JP 2002-342741 A discloses a system of an digital album in which
images sent from service users by using the same communication network
are stored/managed in a server on a user unit basis, and provided as an
digital album through the network, and when nothing is transmitted from
users for a predetermined period or longer, the images registered by the
users are deleted to enable effective use of a data storage area of
server resources or the like.

[0008] Further, JP 2003-330763 A discloses an information processing
system for deleting images in a predetermined cycle. In the system, a
storage period is set for an image at the time of uploading the image,
and when the storage period has passed, the image whose storage period
has passed is retrieved regularly by using a system timer in the server
which is preset, or the like, thereby deleting the corresponding image.
This system is capable of setting the conditions as to the storage
periods of images by allowing a user to set predetermined starting points
of the storage periods, so images can be deleted effectively.

[0009] In addition, photofinishers deploy so-called network printing
services in which the photofinishers obtain images shot by customers and
print order information using the communication network to create
photographic prints having the images reproduced thereon according to the
order information, and provide the prints created according to the
received order to the customers by delivering them home or to designated
shops.

[0010] In a commercial transaction in a virtual market using a
conventional communication network, a point system in which points are
given according to a commercial transaction record is deployed as shown
in JP 2002-259781 A. Such point system has been widely introduced even to
the field of photograph print ordering by network printing services.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In the conventional point system described above, points which have
been accumulated according to a commercial transaction record established
by a customer in a virtual market on a network are converted into a
monetary value, and the customer can use the monetary value in purchasing
another commodity product. In other words, the points are merely worth a
value of money.

[0012] Also, in the conventional network print service described above,
images transmitted by users to a server are managed and stored as an
album (i.e., digital album) for each user. In general, the storage period
of an image and the maximum storage capacity of the album are uniquely
set by the system, and images can be stored in the album such that a sum
of the data sizes of all the images for each user does not exceed the
maximum storage capacity. Further, in a case where the maximum storage
capacity of the album is to be exceeded if a user additionally transmits
another image so as to be stored in the album, an error message is
transmitted in order to prohibit the user from transmitting the image.

[0013] The above-mentioned capacity management method does not allow a
user to choose the storage period and the maximum storage capacity for
images in an album. Also, according to the system disclosed in JP
2003-330763 A, a user is allowed to set a starting point of the storage
period, but is not allowed to set the length of the storage period and
the storage capacity.

[0014] There exists service which allows a user to extend and to expand
the storage period and the storage capacity, respectively, with an
additional charge. In this case, however, a financial burden is placed
upon the user.

[0015] Further, according to the above-mentioned capacity management
method, the maximum storage capacity for images is uniformly set
regardless of the order track record of an amount of orders of prints
(e.g., photographs) or the like achieved by each user. However, there is
a demand for providing better service for a user who has placed a large
number of orders, to thereby stimulate the placement of orders.

[0016] There is also a problem that in the case where a user is prohibited
from transmitting an image due to an excess of the maximum storage
capacity of the album, if the user is unskilled in operation, the user
may not be able to store a new image without knowing how to transmit the
image.

[0017] A first object of the present invention is to solve the
above-mentioned problems of the conventional techniques, and to stimulate
placement of orders through the network print service by the following
manner in a network print service which receives orders or the like by
using a communication network such as the Internet. That is, points
accumulated by a customer are not only converted into a monetary value
but are also used for providing a wide range of services including
providing a customer having a larger number of accumulated points with
more benefits in terms of the use of the network print service system,
thereby providing better service to a customer having a better order
track record.

[0018] Specifically, in an image network system used for network print
service or the like, the first object of the present invention is provide
a center server which employs a point system in which points accumulated
in accordance with an order track record are regarded as a credit value
of a client and the points thus accumulated can be used for receiving
service, and an image network system including the center server.

[0019] Further, a second object of the present invention to provide a
center server of an image network system, in which a storage capacity and
a storage period can be suitably set for a user while importance is
placed on an operational efficiency of the system, and an image network
system including the center server.

[0020] Further, in an image network system used for network print service
which receives an order or the like by using a communication network such
as the Internet, a third object of the present invention is to provide a
center server in which a user, in particular, a user who has placed a
large number of orders such as print, can upload images as many as
possible and which stimulates placement of orders; and an image network
system including the center server. In addition, the third object of the
present invention is to provide a center server which is easy to handle
so as to allow a user to smoothly store a desired image in an album even
in a case where a maximum storage capacity is exceeded and is thus
excellent in operability; and an image network system including the
center server.

[0021] In order to achieve the above-mentioned first object, according to
a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a center
server for an image network system, for receiving image data and an order
from an order entry channel via a communication network, including:

[0022] an order reception function block receiving an order from the order
entry channel;

[0023] an image storage function block storing image data supplied from
the order entry channel according to a predetermined storage condition;

[0024] a capacity management function block managing a storage capacity
for the image data stored by the image storage function block on a
customer basis; and

[0025] a point management function block managing points which are given
based on the order placed by a customer on a customer basis,

[0026] wherein the point management function block changes the
predetermined storage condition in the image storage function block based
on a status of points of each customer.

[0027] In the above center server, preferably, the point management
function block causes the order entry channel to display choices for the
predetermined storage condition in the image storage function block based
on the status of points of each customer, and changes the predetermined
storage condition according to a choice selected by the customer from
among the choices displayed.

[0028] Further, preferably, the choices for the predetermined storage
condition include at least one of a setting change of a storage capacity
and a setting change of a storage period, of the image data storable in
the image storage function block.

[0029] Further, preferably, the point management function block counts
total points by accumulating points that have been obtained by the
customer in a predetermined period, and changes the predetermined storage
condition of the image data provided to the customer based on the total
points.

[0030] Further, preferably, the point management function block
automatically changes the predetermined storage condition in the image
storage function block according to total points obtained by accumulating
points that have been obtained by the customer in a predetermined period.

[0031] In the above center server, preferably, the point management
function block automatically changes the predetermined storage condition,
so that one of a change of a storage capacity, a change of a storage
period, and a change of the storage capacity and the storage period is
performed. Further, preferably, the point management function block
automatically expands the predetermined storage condition in the image
storage function block when the total points reach a predetermined
number. Further, preferably, the point management function block
automatically expands the predetermined storage condition, so that one of
an expansion of a storage capacity, an extension of a storage period, and
the expansion of the storage capacity and the extension of the storage
period is performed.

[0032] Further, preferably, the image storage function block stores image
data based on a combination of a data amount and a storage period of the
image data stored, by using retention counts, one retention count of the
retention counts being defined by assuming storage of image data having a
predetermined data amount in the image storage function block for a
predetermined period. Further, preferably, the point management function
block sets the predetermined storage condition in the image storage
function block by converting the points of each customer into the
retention counts and calculating a storage condition corresponding to the
number of the retention counts.

[0033] Further, preferably, when the image data is supplied from the order
entry channel, in a case where a storage capacity for the image data for
a customer is insufficient, the capacity management function block
transmits information indicating that the storage capacity for the
customer is insufficient to the order reception function block; and the
order reception function block having received the information indicating
that the storage capacity for the customer is insufficient causes the
order entry channel to display thereon information on insufficient
storage capacity and choices for a process for securing a storage
capacity.

[0034] Further, preferably, the choices displayed on the order entry
channel by the capacity management function block include a reselection
of the image data to be supplied to the image storage function block and
a deletion of image data within the image storage function block; and in
a case where the number of points of a customer is equal to or larger
than a predetermined value, an expansion of the storage capacity of the
image storage function block is further displayed as a choice.

[0035] Further, preferably, the image storage function block gives an
order identifier to the image data supplied from the order entry channel
and stores the image data, the order identifier identifying whether the
image data is an ordered image data which has been ordered before, or an
unordered image data which has never been ordered; the order reception
function block receives an order of the image data supplied from the
order entry channel on a customer basis and manages the order; and the
capacity management function block obtains a total value of sizes of the
unordered image data among the image data stored by the image storage
function block based on the order identifier on a customer basis, and
manages whether or not the total value is within such a range as not to
exceed a predetermined upper limit value.

[0036] Further, preferably, the order reception function block receives an
order of the image data supplied from the order entry channel on a
customer basis and manages the order; the capacity management function
block obtains a total value of sizes of the image data stored by the
image storage function block on a customer basis, and manages whether or
not the total value is within such a range as not to exceed a
predetermined upper limit value; and in a case where the capacity
management function block judges that the total value exceeds the
predetermined upper limit value, the capacity management function block
notifies the order entry channel thereof and causes the order entry
channel to display thereon choices for a countermeasure for preventing
the total value from exceeding the predetermined upper limit value.

[0037] In order to achieve the above-mentioned second object, according to
a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a center
server for an image network system, for receiving image data and an order
from an order entry channel via a communication network, including:

[0039] wherein the image storage function block stores the image data
based on a combination of a data amount and a storage period of the image
data stored, by using retention counts, one retention count of the
retention counts being defined by assuming storage of image data having a
predetermined data amount in the image storage function block for a
predetermined period.

[0040] In the above center server, preferably, the image storage function
block includes at least one condition selected from the group consisting
of a first condition of a large storage capacity with a short storage
period, a second condition of a small storage capacity with a long
storage period, and a third condition of storage of an image data
designated by a customer for a period which is long in comparison with a
normal storage period, as a storage condition of image data, each of the
first condition, the second condition, and the third condition using a
same number of retention counts.

[0041] Further, preferably, the image storage function block is capable of
changing setting of the storage capacity and the storage period within a
range of the retention counts retained by the customer.

[0042] Further, preferably, the center server according to the present
invention, further including: an order reception function block receiving
an order of image data supplied from the order entry channel on a
customer basis and managing the order; and a point management function
block managing points given to a customer based on the order which is
placed by a customer and is received by the order reception function
block, on a customer basis. Further, preferably, the image storage
function block is capable of converting the points which is retained by
the customer and is managed by the point management function block into
retention counts, and storing image data in exchange of the retention
counts.

[0043] Further, preferably, the center server, further including an
extended storage image selection function block setting image data
designated by a customer as an extended storage image data, wherein the
image storage function block converts points of a customer into the
retention counts, and sets a storage period which is obtained by adding
an extended storage period calculated based on the number of the
retention counts and a data amount of the extended storage image data to
a normal storage period as a storage period of the extended storage image
data set by the image storage function block.

[0044] Further, preferably, when total points which are managed by the
point management function block and are obtained by accumulating points
that have been obtained by the customer in a predetermined period reach a
predetermined value, the image storage function block gives a
predetermined number of retention counts to the customer, and resets a
storage condition based on the predetermined number of retention counts.
Further, preferably, the center server further including: a count setting
function block setting a part of the predetermined number of retention
counts given by the image storage function block to extended retention
counts serving as retention counts used for storage of the extended
storage image data for an extended storage period, the extended storage
image data being selected by the extended storage image selection
function block, wherein the image storage function block uses the
extended retention counts set by the count setting function block to set
a storage period for the extended storage image data after a
predetermined storage period.

[0045] Further, preferably, the image storage function block is capable of
converting the retention counts retained by the customer into points of
the customer.

[0046] In order to achieve the above-mentioned third object, according to
a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a center
server for an image network system, for receiving image data and an order
from an order entry channel via a communication network, including:

[0047] an image storage function block giving an order identifier to image
data supplied from the order entry channel and storing the image data,
the order identifier identifying whether the image data is ordered image
data which has been ordered before or unordered image data which has
never been ordered;

[0048] an order reception function block receiving an order of the image
data supplied from the order entry channel on a customer basis and
managing the order; and

[0049] a capacity management function block obtaining a total value of
sizes of the unordered image data among the image data stored by the
image storage function block based on the order identifier on a customer
basis, and managing whether or not the total value is within such a range
as not to exceed a predetermined upper limit value.

[0050] Further, in the above center server, preferably, in a case where
the capacity management function block judges that the total value
exceeds the predetermined upper limit value, the capacity management
function block notifies the order entry channel thereof and causes a
display device (e.g., display) which the order entry channel includes to
display thereon choices for a countermeasure for preventing the total
value from exceeding the predetermined upper limit value.

[0051] Further, preferably, the choices displayed on the order entry
channel include at least one selected from the group consisting of a
reselection of image data to be supplied to the image storage function
block, a deletion of unordered image data stored in the image storage
function block, an order of the unordered image data stored in the image
storage function block, an image size conversion of the unordered image
data stored in the image storage function block, a compression of the
unordered image data stored in the image storage function block, and a
file format conversion of the unordered image data stored in the image
storage function block.

[0052] Further, preferably, in a case where one of the choices displayed
on the order entry channel including at least one selected from the group
consisting of the deletion of the unordered image data stored in the
image storage function block, the order of the unordered image data
stored in the image storage function block, the image size conversion of
the unordered image data stored in the image storage function block, the
compression of the unordered image data stored in the image storage
function block, and the file format conversion of the unordered image
data stored in the image storage function block, is selected, the
capacity management function block causes the order entry channel to
display thumbnail images of the unordered image data stored in the image
storage function block.

[0053] Further, preferably, the capacity management function block gives a
process identifier indicating an executed process content to an image
data on which one of the image size conversion, the compression, and the
file format conversion has been executed based on one of the choices
selected; and the capacity management function block causes the order
entry channel to display thereon the process content based on the process
identifier when causing the order entry channel to display the thumbnail
images.

[0054] Further, preferably, the capacity management function block causes
the order entry channel to display the thumbnail images of the unordered
image data stored in the image storage function block in one of a file
size order and an order of date on which the unordered image data is
supplied to the image storage function block.

[0055] Further, in the third aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a center server for an image network system, for receiving image
data and an order from an order entry channel via a communication
network, including:

[0057] an order reception function block receiving an order of the image
data supplied from the order entry channel on a customer basis and
managing the order; and

[0058] a capacity management function block obtaining a total value of
sizes of the image data stored by the image storage function block based
on a customer basis, and managing whether or not the total value is
within such a range as not to exceed a predetermined upper limit value,

[0059] wherein in a case where the capacity management function block
judges that the total value exceeds the predetermined upper limit value,
the capacity management function block notifies the order entry channel
thereof and causes the order entry channel to display thereon choices for
a countermeasure for preventing the total value from exceeding the
predetermined upper limit value.

[0060] Further, preferably, the choices displayed on the order entry
channel include at least one selected from the group consisting of a
reselection of the image data to be supplied to the image storage
function block, a deletion of the image data stored in the image storage
function block, an image size conversion of the image data stored in the
image storage function block, a compression of the image data stored in
the image storage function block, and a file format conversion of the
image data stored in the image storage function block.

[0061] Further, preferably, the image storage function block stores image
data based on a combination of a data amount and a storage period of the
image data stored, by using retention counts, one retention count of the
retention counts being defined by assuming storage of image data having a
predetermined data amount in the image storage function block for a
predetermined period.

[0062] Further, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an image network system including:

[0063] an order entry channel receiving an order from a customer and
transmitting order information and customer information of the order; and

[0064] any of the above center servers.

[0065] According to the present invention as described above, in the
network print service for storing an image received from a customer
through a communication network such as the Internet, and receiving a
print order thereof or another such order to manufacture a corresponding
product, an optional service can be provided based on an order track
record of the customer obtained thus far. Accordingly, it is possible to
realize the center server that can provide a higher level of service to
the customer who has a good order track record, and an image network
system including the center server.

[0066] Further, the image data can be expanded in its storage capacity and
changed in its storage period according to the order track record of a
customer. Accordingly, the customer with a better order track record is
allowed to store more images for a longer period, which promotes the
customer to place more orders through the network print service. Further,
by setting the effective period during which a customer can receive
service, it is possible to provide a higher level of service to a
customer who currently has a good order track record, which further
promotes a customer to place more orders.

[0067] Further, in a case of uploading an image to order, if the number of
points of a customer is equal to or larger than a predetermined value,
expansion of the storage capacity for the image data can be selected as a
measure to support the customer. Accordingly, a customer with a good
order track record does not need to delete or reselect the image due to
unexpected shortage of the capacity, and is allowed to upload a new image
at ease.

[0068] Further, to store the image in the center server, a user is caused
to select settings regarding storage thereof in the center server from
the plurality of choices including a combination of the storage capacity
and the storage period. Accordingly, the user is allowed to store the
image in a desired manner.

[0069] Further, preferably, the choices are set so that a product of the
storage capacity and the storage period has a substantially constant
value. Accordingly, whichever settings the user may select, the load
placed on the center server is kept substantially constant, which can
provide a stable image network system.

[0070] Further, preferably, a user can change the storage capacity and the
storage period according to the data sizes of the images stored by the
user or the like within the range in which the product of the storage
capacity and the storage period does not exceed the upper limit set in
the center server. Thus, the user is allowed to store the images in a
desired manner according to the storage conditions of the images.

[0071] Further, the order track record of the user is regarded as a
credibility of the user, and more choices for the settings regarding the
storage are displayed based on the credibility of the user when a new
image is to be stored in the center server. Accordingly, it is possible
to provide a higher level of service to the user having a high
credibility and prevent the user having a low credibility from
intentionally occupying a server space.

[0072] Further, the center server and the image network system including
the center server store images transmitted from the user in an digital
album, obtain a total value of data sizes of only unordered images among
the images stored within the center server with ordered images excluded
from, the data size of the album to be checked, perform capacity
management for the images within the center server based on whether or
not the total value exceeds a maximum storage capacity, and notify the
user of a data size that can be transmitted. Accordingly, the user is
allowed to upload more images to the center server by placing a print
order thereof or another such order. This also promotes the user to order
the print or the like.

[0073] Further, when an image is to be uploaded to the center server, if
the data size exceeds the capacity, it is preferable to present the user
with a countermeasure for transmitting the image instead of merely
inhibiting the transmission of the image. Therefore, the user is allowed
to select and execute the countermeasure on the spot and smoothly upload
the desired image. Consequently, the user is allowed to smoothly store
the image into the album in a desired manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0074] In the accompanying drawings:

[0075] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a system configuration of
an image network system using a center server according to the present
invention;

[0076]FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing rank judgment processing at a time of
order placement in a network center;

[0077] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing for each rank at a time of
sign-in in the network center;

[0078]FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on an order entry channel at the time of sign-in;

[0079]FIG. 4B is a diagram showing another example of the screen which is
displayed on the order entry channel at the time of sign-in;

[0080]FIG. 4C is a diagram showing still another example of the screen
which is displayed on the order entry channel at the time of sign-in;

[0081]FIG. 5A is a graph showing an example of usage of points at a time
of option processing;

[0082]FIG. 5B is a graph showing another example of the usage of points
at the time of option processing;

[0083] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing for each choice in the
option processing at the network center;

[0084]FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing conversion and exchange processing
into counts in accordance with remaining points in the network center;

[0085]FIG. 8 is a graph showing an example of usage of counts at a time a
rank of a member is raised;

[0086] FIG. 9A is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the order entry channel at the time the rank of the member
is raised;

[0087]FIG. 9B is a diagram showing another example of the screen which is
displayed on the order entry channel at the time the rank of the member
is raised;

[0088] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing for each rank at a time
of uploading an image in the network center;

[0089] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the order entry channel at the time of uploading an image;

[0090] FIG. 12 is an example of an image information table for managing
image information in the image network system shown in FIG. 1;

[0091] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an album setting screen
which is displayed on the order entry channel at a time of setting an
album;

[0092] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in selecting a
premium image;

[0093]FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of capacity calculation
processing for each image format in selecting the premium image;

[0094] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a flow of calculation processing on
a first day of premium storage, in selecting the premium image;

[0095] FIG. 17A is a graph showing an example of a state of an album in
extending storage of the premium image using remaining points;

[0096] FIG. 17B is a graph showing another example of the state of the
album in extending storage of the premium image using the remaining
points;

[0097] FIG. 18 is a graph showing an example of the state of the album in
extending storage of the premium image using retention counts;

[0098] FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically showing another example of a
system configuration of the image network system using the center server
according to the present invention;

[0099] FIG. 20 is an example of an image information table for managing
image information in the image network system shown in FIG. 19;

[0100] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of uploading
an image in the network center;

[0101]FIG. 22A is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the order entry channel at a time of requesting uploading;

[0102]FIG. 22B is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the order entry channel at a time of selecting an upload
image;

[0103]FIG. 23A is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the order entry channel when a capacity is overloaded at the
time of uploading an image; and

[0104]FIG. 23B is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the order entry channel at a time of carrying out capacity
overflow processing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0105] A center sever of the present invention and an image network system
including the center server will be described in detail below according
to preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0106] FIG. 1 conceptually shows the configuration of the image network
system of the present invention using the center server of the present
invention.

[0107] The image network system 10 of the shown example (hereinafter
referred to as "network system 10") deploys a so-called network printing
service (online printing service) which includes receiving an order of
photograph printing from a customer through a communication network such
as the Internet, and creating prints according to the order, and also
deploys a so-called digital album service which includes storing/managing
an image (image data) transferred from the customer to enable image
viewing.

[0108] In the present invention, there is no specific limitation on the
format of image data, and for example, image data in publicly known
formats such as JPEG, RAW, TIFF, and EXIF can be used.

[0109] The network system 10 basically includes a network center 12 which
includes the center server of the present invention and collectively
controls/manages the network system 10, an order entry channel 14 from
which the customer places an order for printing or other operation, a lab
system 16 owned by a photofinisher (hereinafter referred to as "lab"),
and a retailer system 18 which serves as an intermediary between the
customer and the lab.

[0110] In the network system 10 of the shown example, the network center
12, the order entry channel 14, the lab system 16, and the retailer
system 18 are interconnected through a communication network such as the
Internet. In the network system 10, the network center 12, the order
entry channel 14, and the retailer system 18 are interconnected through a
communication network made public such as the Internet. However, only the
lab system 16 may be connected to the network center 12 through a
dedicated communication line without being connected to the order entry
channel 14 or the retailer system 18.

[0111] In the shown example, to clearly show the configuration of the
network system 10, the drawing was simplified to show only one each of
three types of the order entry channel 14, the lab system 16, and the
retailer system 18. However, the present invention is not limited
thereto.

[0112] Therefore, the network system 10 may include a plurality of lab
systems 16. Usually, the network system 10 includes a plurality of
retailer systems 18. The retailer system 18 is not an indispensable
system in the present invention.

[0113] The order entry channel 14 is a user terminal which enables
reception of a customer's printing order, and transfer of an image
(uploading of the image) to the network center 12.

[0114] In the network system 10 of the shown example, customers include
members registered in the network system 10 and nonmembers not registered
therein. In the network system 10 of the shown example, each of the
members necessarily belongs to any of the retailer systems 18.

[0115] The order entry channel 14 is basically configured by using a
personal computer (hereinafter, called "PC") of the customer connectable
to the communication network, or a printing order terminal which is
installed at a shop receiving printing orders and is connected to the
communication network.

[0116] Examples of the order entry channel 14 include an order entry
channel that uses a web browser such as Internet Explorer® from
Microsoft Corporation to access (connect with) the network center 12
(website managed by the network center 12 and made public through the
communication network), an order entry channel that uses an ordering
function installed in an operating system of PC such as "Online Printing
Wizard (OPW)" of Windows XP® from Microsoft Corporation, an ordering
function included in a general-purpose application such as "FinePix
viewer" from FUJIFILM Corporation, an ordering function set in a website
which is made public through the communication network such as "MSN
(Europe)" which is a website managed/run by Microsoft Corporation, and
the like, and an order entry channel that uses order software which is
dedicated order application (software) for ordering a product in the
network system 10.

[0117] One order entry channel 14 may of course correspond to one, or two
or more of the above examples.

[0118] The retailer system 18 serves as an intermediary between a customer
and a lab, and includes, for example, a PC, a workstation (WS), or a
server device.

[0119] In the European photographic printing industry, there are
intermediary agents called retailers between customers and labs. A
retailer makes a contract with a lab, and asks a retail shop such as a
cosmetic store or a drugstore to set a printing order reception window.
Upon reception of a printing order from a customer, the retailer
transfers the received printing order to the lab. When necessary, the
retailer receives finished prints from the lab and sends the prints to
the shop having the designated reception window or customer's home. A lab
is normally associated with a plurality of retailers. The lab receives
customer's printing orders from the retailers to create prints.

[0120] In a distribution system of printing order/creation/reception, the
lab is a kind of background existence which the customer is unaware of.
The customer only contacts the retailer to order printing and to receive
finished prints.

[0121] The retailer system 18 serves as a retailer in the network system
10. For example, this retailer system 18 is owned by the above described
retailer.

[0122] As described above, the retailer system 18 is connected to the
network center 12, the order entry channel 14, and the lab system 16
through the communication network such as the Internet. The retailer
system 18 makes public a web screen for accessing the network center 12
from the order entry channel 14 in the communication network (on the
web).

[0123] The order entry channel 14 may access the network center 12 through
the web screen made public by the retailer, or may directly access the
network center 12 not through the web screen. Alternatively, the
configuration may be such that the setting whether to access the network
center 12 through the web screen or not through the web screen is
determined depending upon the type of the order entry channel 14 or the
retailer.

[0124] By intervening the retailer system 18, in the network system 10 of
the present invention, the customer can place an order for printing with
a feeling of placing an order for printing with the retailer without
being aware of the network center 12 and the lab (lab system 16).

[0125] In the network system 10 of the present invention, the retailer
system 18 and the lab system 16 to be described later may be integrated
into one system.

[0126] The network center 12 controls the overall network system 10 and is
configured by combining a PC, a WS, a network device, a server device,
and a storage device, for example.

[0127] The network center 12 includes a database/file server (DB/FS) 12a
for saving/managing images and various pieces of information such as
images sent from customers, member information, information on printing
orders, and information for managing and operating the network system 10.

[0128] As conceptually shown in FIG. 1, the network center 12 includes a
front end 12b (hereinafter, called "front end") and a back end 12c
(hereinafter, called "back end").

[0129] The front end is a site for receiving customers' orders, and can be
accessed from the order entry channel 14. In other words, the front end
provides such a function as a user interface which enables the customer
to place an order for printing or upload an image.

[0130] The back end is a site for managing the network system 10 and the
network center 12. Accordingly, only the systems for managing/operating
the network system 10, such as a management system 24 for managing the
network center 12, the retailer system 18, and the lab system 16, can
access the back end. Access from the order entry channel 14 is inhibited.

[0131] In the network center 12, the front end includes a member
registration/authentication block 30a, a digital album function block
30b, a share box function block 30c, and an order web block 30d.

[0132] The customer can use the order entry channel 14 to access the front
end of the network center 12, thereby using the following functions.

[0133] The member registration/authentication block 30a (hereinafter,
called "member registration/authentication") provides functions of
registering members, changing registered member information, and
authenticating (sign-in) members. In the illustrated network center 12,
authentication is carried out by using a member ID (identification
information such as an identification number) and a password set for each
member. The member information is managed by a member manager of the back
end described below.

[0134] The retailer system 18 may also have functions for member
registration/authentication/sign-in conforming thereto. Accordingly, when
the order entry channel 14 accesses the network center 12 through the
retailer system 18, in the case where a member signs in in the retailer
system 18 before accessing the network center 12, the sign-in of the
member is not executed in the front end.

[0135] The digital album function block 30b (hereinafter, called "album
function") provides a function of uploading an image through the order
entry channel 14, a function (image storage function block) of storing
images of each member as an album (digital album), a function (function
which enables the member to view his/her own album) which enables the
member to display an album image through the order entry channel 14, and
a function which enables the member to rotate the displayed album images
or view them in a slide show. In other words, the album function provides
a digital album function through the communication network.

[0136] The album includes a system album and a My Album. The system album
stores images uploaded by the member. The network center 12 automatically
creates one system album for each member at the initial period (for
example, at the time of member registration). The images uploaded by the
member are all stored in the system album.

[0137] On the other hand, the My Album is an album optionally created by
the member to optionally store uploaded images all together.

[0138] In each album, the display period and the storage period for each
image are set by a later-described album manager. Displaying of an image
whose display period has passed is stopped, and an image whose storage
period has passed is deleted from the album. The display period and the
storage period may be the same or different from each other.

[0139] The image uploaded through the order entry channel 14 is managed
based on image information including an image code for specifying the
image, a member ID, a retailer ID, a file format type, a stored file
size, a stored file name, an upload date, and a latest order date. The
network center 12 includes an image information table for managing such
image information, which will be described later.

[0140] In the network system 10 shown in FIG. 1, the member can use the
album function to carry out various album operations and album image
editing.

[0141] Exemplary album operations that may be carried out include creating
a new My Album, setting/changing the title of the My Album, displaying
the album list, and deleting the My Album. The member cannot delete the
system album.

[0142] Examples of the album image editing that may be carried out include
displaying all images in an album in a slide show, displaying a thumbnail
image list, displaying an enlarged image, displaying a rotated image,
adding an image, changing the image display order, changing the image
name, copying or moving an image to another album (a plurality of images
or all images may be selected for this operation), deleting an image (a
plurality of images or all images may be selected for this operation),
and placing an order for a product such as a print from an image stored
in the album.

[0143] The share box function block 30c (hereinafter, called "share box
function") provides a function which enables the member to publicly offer
his/her own album image to a third party. The member can use the share
box function to create one or more share boxes for publicly offering to
the third party an arbitrary number of images selected from the album.
The images in the share box may also be publicly offered to the third
party by providing the URL for viewing these images to an acquaintance or
other person.

[0144] Displaying (viewing) of images stored in the album and the share
box is only allowed for a predetermined period, and the images are also
stored in the album and the share box for a predetermined period.

[0145] In addition to the album and the share box, the front end of the
network center 12 includes the photo storage which provides a function of
storing for a predetermined period, images uploaded by nonmembers to
order prints. The images stored in the photo storage can be displayed
during the ordering operation. After the end of ordering, however, the
images cannot be displayed.

[0146] The order web block 30d (hereinafter, called "order web") provides
a function of receiving orders for products including a print, fun goods
such as a mug and a T-shirt having an image recorded thereon, and a CD
having an image recorded thereon.

[0147] The order web is accessed from the order entry channel 14 to select
a product (print, fun goods, a CD, or the like) and an image for which a
product is to be ordered, and when an order for printing is placed, the
print size and the quantity are input/instructed. The destination
(receipt shop) where the product is to be received or the delivery
destination, and the payment method are also input/instructed as required
in the order web.

[0148] In the network system 10 of the shown example, the member places an
order (selects an image for which a product is to be ordered) using the
order web in an album mode or a menu mode.

[0149] The album mode is a mode in which an image to be ordered is
selected from the images stored in the album. The menu mode is a mode in
which images are uploaded through the order entry channel 14 and an image
to be ordered is selected from the uploaded images. Irrespective of
whether or not an order is placed, the images uploaded by the member are
stored in the system album. In other words, the order web also provides
an image upload function.

[0150] A mode similar to the menu mode is only applicable when a nonmember
places an order using the order web, and the uploaded images are stored
in the photo storage as described above.

[0151] It is also possible in the network system 10 to select an image
from the images stored in the share box through the order entry channel
14 and place an order for a product.

[0152] On the other hand, the back end of the network center 12 is a site
where the network system 10 and the network center 12 are managed as
described above. The back end includes a member management block 40a, an
album management block 40b, a basic information management block 40c, a
commercial product management block 40d, a site management block 40e, an
order management block 40f, a workflow block 40g, a lab order receiving
server 42, a settlement block 44, and a point management block 40h.

[0153] The member management block 40a (hereinafter, called "member
manager") provides a function of managing member information such as
managing member information (including management in registration of new
members, and changing/adding/updating of various pieces of information)
and retrieving member information.

[0154] Examples of the information of a member include a member ID, a
password, an E-mail address, an ID (selected shop ID) of a receipt shop
26 (hereinafter, called "receipt shop") where a product is received, a
name, an address, a telephone number, and a delivery destination.

[0155] The retrieval of the member information is to provide the function
in which the retailer system 18 retrieves a member according with a given
condition.

[0156] The album management block 40b (hereinafter, called "album
manager") provides a function (capacity management function block) of
managing the maximum storage capacity of the album, the share box, the
photo storage, and the like, and the storage period and the display
period of an image.

[0157] In response to the request from the retailer system 18 or the lab
system 16, the album manager sets the album maximum storage capacity, the
image storage period, and the image display period per member for each
retailer system 18 or each lab system 16. In other words, the retailer
system 18 or the lab system 16 (retailer or lab) can set the album
capacity, the image display period, and the image storage period. The
display period and the storage period may be the same or different.

[0158] The album manager stops displaying an image whose display period
has expired. Also, the album manager stops displaying an image whose
storage period has expired, and thereafter, deletes the image at a
predetermined timing. The member may be notified of expiration of the
display period or the like by E-mail or other means.

[0159] In the network system 10, the display period and/or storage period
may be changed depending on whether or not a product was ordered for the
image (e.g., the period may be extended depending on whether or not an
order was placed). The display period and/or storage period may also be
different between members and nonmembers.

[0160] The album manager periodically deletes a My Album, a photo storage,
and a share box which do not store any images. In addition, the album
manager forcibly stops offering to public a share box which store images
offending public order and morals.

[0161] The basic information management block 40c (hereinafter, called
"basic information manager") provides a function of managing various
pieces of basic information of the lab system 16, the retailer system 18,
and the receipt shop.

[0162] The basic information manager registers/manages the retailer system
18 (retailer having the retailer system 18) associated with each lab
system 16 (lab having the lab system 16) in relation to the receipt shop
associated with each retailer system 18, manages the basic information of
the lab systems 16, retailer systems 18, and receipt shops, and
changes/updates the basic information as necessary or upon request.

[0163] The commercial product management block 40d (hereinafter, called
"commercial product manager") provides a function of managing products
handled by the lab which has the lab system 16, the retailer which has
the retailer system 18, and the receipt shop.

[0164] In the illustrated network system 10, for example, a (photographic)
print on which an image received from a member or a nonmember is
reproduced, a CD having the image stored thereon, and fun goods (e.g., a
mug and a T-shirt) having the image reproduced thereon are provided as
products to a customer. The commercial product manager provides a
function of setting products (commercial products) to be handled by the
retailer system 18 or the lab system 16, a function of setting prices of
the products, and a function of displaying the products on the order web.
The commercial product manager also provides a function of generating
order setting information (image, commercial product type, print size,
quantity, and the like) which is order information, according to an order
for a product placed by the customer using the order entry channel 14
(more specifically according to the input/instruction of the order).

[0165] Products to be handled and prices of the products can be
applied/set for each retailer system 18 or each lab system 16 by the
function of the commercial product manager. In other words, the retailer
and the lab can set products to be handled and prices of the products.

[0166] The site management block 40e (hereinafter, called "site manager")
provides management functions for a manager of retailers and for a lab
manager for operating the network system 10, such as announcement
information to the customer, statistical information, and application
downloading information, and a management function for a center manager
(operator) serving as the window to a lab operation manager in the
network system 10.

[0167] The order management block 40f (hereinafter, called "order
manager") provides a function (order reception function block) of
managing an order, such as generation, retrieval, or displaying of order
information.

[0168] In the order manager, when a customer places an order, and the
order is completed (established) after the customer selects the method of
receiving the product or the payment method, or the like, the order
manager executes necessary calculation such as calculation of charges
using, for example, the order setting information or the like to generate
predetermined information, thereby generating order information. Further,
the order manager sends the order information generated to the lab order
receiving server.

[0169] The workflow block 40g (hereinafter, called "workflow") provides a
workflow function for changing a setting of a price/product in operating
and managing the network system 10.

[0170] When the retailer system 18 or the lab system 16 applies for
changing of retailer or lab information (basic information and detailed
information), changing of charges, or changing of information on a
receipt shop, the workflow judges whether the application is appropriate
and decides approval or rejection. When approved, the changing applied
for is confirmed, and changing contents are applied to the network system
10.

[0171] The lab order receiving server 42 (hereinafter, called "lab order
receiving server") provides to the lab system 16 via a lab order
receiving module 16a to be described below, a function of receiving an
order in the lab system 16, including transmission of order information
and an image.

[0172] As described above, the order information is sent to the lab order
receiving server, and image data corresponding to the order information
is also sent to the lab order receiving server (order information for one
order and its corresponding image data will be hereinafter collectively
referred to as "order job"). The lab order receiving server transfers
order list information to the lab system 16 in response to a request from
the lab system 16, and an order job for one order requested from the lab
system 16 is transferred to the lab system 16.

[0173] The settlement block 44 (hereinafter, called "settlement") provides
a function of obtaining card authorization (credit) from a settlement
site 20 when credit card payment or debit card payment is selected for
the payment method.

[0174] The settlement site 20 is a web site which is connected to the
network center 12 through the communication network and which is used to
execute well-known online settlement. In the network center 12, only
authorization acquisition is carried out for the settlement site.

[0175] The network system 10 employs a point system in which points are
given to a member (customer who has registered as a member) depending
upon the order track record of each member. Whereby, a member who has
accumulated predetermined points or more can receive various services
according to the number of the points. The number of points given is set
depending upon the total charge of the orders. Alternatively, the number
of points given may be set according to a product or a delivery method in
the network system 10, the retailer system 18, or the lab system 16.

[0176] The point management block 40h (hereinafter, called "point
manager") is for managing the point system, and provides a function
(point management function block) of managing points that are given
according to an order track record of a member and are used in
compensation for service selected by the member, for each member.

[0177] Specific functions of the point system and the point manager will
be explained in detail below.

[0178] The lab system 16 includes a PC, a WS, or a server device, and is
installed in the lab (photofinisher). A digital photoprinter or a
production device such as a device for printing images on various fun
goods is connected to or integrated with the lab system 16.

[0179] In the lab system 16, order receiving software which is an
application for receiving a product order from the network center 12 is
installed.

[0180] The lab system 16 uses an order receiving module 16a which included
in the order receiving software for obtaining an order job from the
network center 12 (lab order receiving server) in order to obtain an
order information list, and requests transfer of an order job for the lab
system 16 to obtain the order job. The lab (lab system 16) creates a
product corresponding to the order job, and delivers the product to a
delivery destination or a receipt shop according to the order
information. The lab system 16 establishes/cancels credit card payment or
decides cancellation of debit card payment according to authorization
information added to the order information, and sends the result to the
settlement site 20.

[0181] As described above, the member can use the order entry channel 14
to access the network center 12 (front end) and upload an image to the
system album. The member can access the network center in the same manner
as above to select an optional image from images stored in the album
(album mode) or upload images to select an image therefrom (menu mode),
thereby ordering a product. The image that the member has uploaded in the
menu mode is stored in the system album.

[0182] The nonmember can also access the network center in the same manner
from the order entry channel 14 to order a product by a method conforming
to the menu mode. An image uploaded by the nonmember is stored in the
photo storage as described above.

[0183] In the network center 12, order setting information is generated by
the commercial product manager in response to an order from the order
entry channel 14. Upon establishment of the order, the order manager
generates order information and sends an order job (including the order
information and its corresponding image data) to the lab order receiving
server.

[0184] The lab system 16 uses the order receiving module 16a to view a
list of order information in the lab order receiving server, requests
transfer of an order job for the lab system 16, creates a product such as
a print according to the order information of the transferred order job,
and delivers the created product.

[0185] Thus, according to the network system 10 of the present invention,
since the communication network such as the Internet is used, products
can be ordered from anywhere regardless of business hours, and digital
album services or public album services to a third party can also be
provided.

[0186] Furthermore, the functions that can be shared by the retailer and
the lab are made common, and the interface function for the customer and
the management functions of the network system 10 are integrated in the
network center 12. Thus, collection and delivery operations, customer
management, and settlement processing can be simplified, while achieving
simplification of the system operation and reduction of operation costs.
In many cases, troubles or version upgrades of the network system 10 can
be intensively dealt with in the network center 12, which enables
operational stabilization while dealing with troubles more quickly.

[0187] Hereinafter, a description is given of a point system and service
based on the point system in the network system 10.

[0188] As described above, the network system 10 adopts a system for
giving points depending on order track records of members. With this
system, a member who has accumulated points of a predetermined value or
more can be provided with various services depending on the number of the
points. The point manager of the back end manages the points.

[0189] The point manager (i.e., point management function) manages three
kinds of data, namely, data on "total points", data on "remaining
points", and data on "ranks" for each member.

[0190] The data on "total points" includes a sum value of all the points
having been given to a customer so far since the customer was subscribed
as a member, and the member having higher total points has better order
track record. In other words, the number of total points can be regarded
as an order track record of a member so far, i.e., credibility of the
member in the image network system. Note that the total points are only
increased according to the order track record and are never decreased.

[0191] The data on "remaining points" includes the number of points
remaining after points which have been used in compensation for a service
are deducted from the total points, that is, the number of points
currently retained by the member and available to the member. The
remaining points increase according to the order track record. In a case
where a service is received in compensation for points, the points
corresponding to the service are deducted from the remaining points.

[0192] The data on "ranks" includes ranks of members, which are determined
based on the total points. According to this embodiment, for example,
three ranks of A, B, and C are set. Different kinds of services are given
to the members depending on the ranks thereof. A member of higher rank
(i.e., a member with a larger number of the total points) can naturally
receive better services.

[0193] When a member orders merchandise such as print by using the order
web through the order entry channel 14, points corresponding to the order
are added to the total points as well as to the remaining points. When
the points are added to the total points, the point manager sets a rank
for the member based on the total points of the member. The rank is
determined based on whether the number of the total points is larger than
a certain threshold value.

[0194] As described above, according to the present invention, a rank is
determined for each member based on the total points as an index for
measuring the credibility of the member. Based on the rank thus
determined, each member may be allowed to select a service content for
the member, or to change a service content when setting a maximum storage
capacity and a storage period of a system album. The selection and change
of a service content by a member will be specifically described later.

[0195] Next, explanation will be made of a judgment to be made as to a
rank of a member when an order is placed in the network system 10 based
on a flowchart of FIG. 2.

[0196] In a case where a member places an order for printing or the like
by using the order entry channel 14 (S110), the member accesses the order
web of the network center 12 as described above to place the order
(S120). When the placement of an order has been completed, the point
manager determines the number of points to be given to the member in
accordance with the content of the order. The number of points to be
given may be determined based on the content of the order, or on the
value of the order. The content of the order includes merchandise such as
print, the order quantity such as the number of prints, a size of the
print, and a type of the processing. The points thus determined is added
to each of the total points and the remaining points of the member which
are managed by the point manager (S130).

[0197] Then, the point manager determines the rank of the member after the
points are given, with reference to the threshold values 1 and 2 which
are provided in advance for rank determination. According to this
embodiment, the threshold value 1 is set to be smaller than the threshold
value 2 (i.e., the threshold value 1<the threshold value 2). The
values of the threshold values 1 and 2 are set in advance by the network
center 12.

[0198] The point manager first compares the total points, to which points
have been added, with the threshold value 1 (S140). When the value of the
total points is equal to or smaller than the threshold value 1, the
member is set to rank C (S150). Meanwhile, when the value of the total
points is larger than the threshold value 1, the value of the total
points is further compared with the threshold value 2 (S160). When the
value of the total points is larger than the threshold value 2, rank A is
set to the member (S180). When the value of the total points is equal to
or smaller than the threshold value 2, rank B is set to the member
(S170). The rank thus determined is saved in the point manager as in the
case of the total points and the remaining points.

[0199] When a member who has signed in on the network center 12 through
the order entry channel 14 executes processing other than placing an
order such as album editing (S190), the rank judgment is not performed.

[0200] In the manner as described above, the network center 12 checks the
total points of a member each time points corresponding to an order are
given to the member, and determines the rank of the member. The rank thus
determined is reflected in the control of a screen to be displayed when
the member signs in next time.

[0201] According to the present invention, the rank is determined
immediately after the processing of placing an order. However, the rank
may be determined at another timing different from the above. That is,
when a member first signs in through the order entry channel 14, the rank
may be determined by reading the total points of the member stored in the
point manager.

[0202] Next, a first embodiment of the image network system using the
center server of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0203] First, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3, a description is
given of the processing to be executed according to the rank of a member
when the member signs in on the network center 12.

[0204] In FIG. 3, a member connects to the network center 12 through the
order entry channel 14 and signs in (S210). When the member signs in, the
point manager checks the rank of the member (S220), and the order web
causes the order entry channel 14 to display thereon a screen which is
different depending upon the rank thus checked.

[0205] First, in any of the cases of rank A and rank B, the point manager
checks the remaining points of the member to see whether the number of
points accumulated as the remaining points is enough (50 points or more
in this embodiment) to be used in compensation for optional service
described later (S230).

[0206] When the number of the remaining points is enough, a point display
screen shown in FIG. 4A is displayed. On the point display screen, the
remaining points of the member and the choices as to whether to expand
the upper limit of the storage capacity of the album or to extend the
storage period thereof in exchange for the remaining points, are
displayed, and the member is urged to make a choice (S240).

[0207] In a case where the member has selected the use of the points
(i.e., in a case where "Yes" is selected on the point display screen),
the order entry channel 14 displays an option selection screen on which
the member selects the optional service (S260). According to this
embodiment, the screens as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C are displayed in the
cases of rank B and rank A, respectively, as the option selection screen
(S260).

[0208] The optional service in this case refers to service that is
available to a member of and beyond a certain rank, in exchange for the
remaining points. In this embodiment, as an example of the option (i.e.,
optional service), the storage capacity can be expanded and the storage
period can be extended.

[0209] In this embodiment, three patterns of the optional service are
offered, that is, the expansion of the storage capacity, the extension of
the storage period, and the expansion of the storage capacity and storage
period.

[0210] According to this embodiment, the storage capacity to be expanded
and the storage period to be extended are set based on the storage
capacity and the storage period calculated by converting and exchanging
the remaining points into "retention counts" by the point manager.

[0211] One "retention count" corresponds to a case of holding a
predetermined amount of data for a predetermined period. That is, the
product of a data amount and a period is converted into counts to thereby
calculate the capacity and the period. The use of the retention counts
described above allows customers to expand, according to their
preferences, the capacity and the period under a predetermined condition,
thereby making it possible to provide service further finely tuned.

[0212] In this embodiment, one retention count (hereinafter, referred to
as "one count") corresponds to, for example, a case of storing an image
of 1 M byte for a day. Further, 12 counts correspond to one point in the
point manager. In the point manager of the network center 12, the number
of remaining points of a member is converted into and exchanged for the
number of counts, to thereby provide optional service in relation to
image management in the album according to the number of the counts, the
detail of which is described later.

[0213] According to this embodiment, the album setting for each member is
initially set such that an image of 50 M bytes at maximum can be stored
for 30 days. In other words, the counts corresponding to the setting on
the album provided in advance to every member are calculated as follows:
50 M bytes×30 days=1500 counts.

[0214] First, in the case where the member is of rank B, it is to provide
an optional service of expanding the storage capacity and extending the
storage period, in compensation for 50 points of the remaining points of
the member. In other words, it is to make the album setting using 2100
counts which is obtained by adding 600 counts (50 points×12) to the
initially set 1500 counts.

[0215] In the option selection screen shown in FIG. 4B, three choices are
displayed on the order entry channel 14 as the optional service choices,
which include "expansion of storage capacity by 20 M bytes (50 points
needed)", "extension of storage period by 12 days (50 points needed)",
and "expansion of storage capacity by 10 M bytes and extension of storage
period by 5 days (50 points needed)".

[0216] The choice "expansion of storage capacity by 20 M bytes (50 points
needed)" is to expand the storage capacity, specifically, to expand the
upper limit of the storage capacity by 20 M bytes while the storage
period remains unchanged as 30 days. In other words, the album setting of
the member is made with the storage capacity of 70 M bytes and the
storage period of 30 days.

[0217] The choice "extension of storage period by 12 days (50 points
needed)" is to extend the storage period, specifically, to extend the
storage period by 12 days while the storage capacity remains unchanged as
50 M bytes. In other words, the album setting of the member is made with
the storage capacity of 50 M bytes and the storage period of 42 days.

[0218] The choice "expansion of storage capacity by 10 M bytes and
extension of storage period by 5 days (50 points needed)" is to expand
both the storage capacity and the storage period. The storage capacity
and the storage period are increased by 10 M bytes and by 5 days,
respectively. In other words, the album setting of the member is made
with the storage capacity of 60 M bytes and the storage period of 35
days.

[0219] In any of those choices, the product of the number of M bytes and
the number of days (i.e., 70 M bytes×30 days, 50 M bytes×42
days, or 60 M bytes×35 days) is 2100. In other words, each of those
choices results in using 2100 counts which have been obtained by adding
600 counts to the initially set 1500 counts. That is, each of those
choices is the optional service using 50 points of the remaining points.

[0220] FIGS. 5A and 5B show how the album setting is expanded in
compensation for 50 points of the remaining points retained by a member.

[0221] In FIGS. 5A and 5B, C1 shows the album setting which has
already been provided to a member. The album setting is converted into
1500 counts (50 M bytes×30 days).

[0222] When a member selects the "expansion of storage capacity by 20 M
bytes (50 points needed)" in the option selection screen shown in FIG.
4B, the album setting is made in which the upper limit of the storage
capacity is expanded in compensation for the counts including the 600
counts added as described above. At this time, as indicated by C2 of
FIG. 5A, the upper limit of the storage capacity increases by 20 M bytes
to be 70 M bytes while the storage period remains unchanged as 30 days.
In this case, the number of counts increases by 600 counts (20 M
bytes×30 days) as described above when the album setting is changed
from C1 to C2.

[0223] Alternatively, when a member selects the "extension of storage
period by 12 days (50 points needed)" in the option selection screen
shown in FIG. 4B, the album setting is made in which the storage period
is extended in compensation for the counts including the 600 counts added
as described above. At this time, as indicated by C3 of FIG. 5A, the
upper limit of the storage capacity remains unchanged as 50 M bytes while
the storage period is extended by 12 days to be 42 days. In this case,
the number of counts increases by 600 counts (50 M bytes×12 days)
as described above when the album setting is changed from C1 to
C3.

[0224] Further, when a member selects the "expansion of storage capacity
by 10 M bytes and extension of storage period by 5 days (50 points
needed)" in the option selection screen shown in FIG. 4B, the album
setting is made in which the storage capacity is expanded and the storage
period is extended in compensation for the counts including the 600
counts added as described above. At this time, as indicated by C4 of
FIG. 5B, the upper limit of the storage capacity increases by 10 M bytes
to be 60 M bytes while the storage period is extended by 5 days to be 35
days. In this case, the number of counts in the album setting of C1
is 1500 counts (50 M bytes×30 days) and the number of counts in the
album setting of C4 is 2100 counts (60 M bytes×35 days).
Accordingly, the number of counts increases by 600 counts (2100-1500=600
counts) as described above when the album setting is changed from C1
to C4.

[0225] Hereinafter, a description is given of the processing executed by
the network center 12 in each case of the choices selected by a member,
with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6.

[0226] When a member selects "Yes" in the point display screen shown in
FIG. 4A (S310), the order entry channel 14 displays the option selection
screen for allowing the member to select the optional service as
described above.

[0227] When the "expansion of storage capacity" is selected in the option
selection screen ("Yes" in S320), the album manager expands the upper
limit of the storage capacity of the album of the member by 20 M bytes
(S330), the point manager further subtracts 50 points from the remaining
points of the member (S340), and the order entry channel 14 displays the
result of the storage capacity thus expanded (S350).

[0228] When the "extension of storage period" is selected in the option
selection screen ("No" in S320, and further "Yes" in S360), the album
manager extends the storage period of the album of the member by 12 days
(S370), the point manager further subtracts 50 points from the remaining
points of the member (S380), and the order entry channel 14 displays the
result of the storage period thus extended (S390).

[0229] When the "expansion of storage capacity and extension of storage
period" is selected in the option selection screen ("No" in S360), the
album manager expands the upper limit of the storage capacity by 10 M
bytes and extends the storage period by 5 days as to the album of the
member (S400), the point manager further subtracts 50 points from the
remaining points of the member (S410), and the order entry channel 14
displays the result of the storage capacity thus expanded and the storage
period thus extended (S420).

[0230] Meanwhile, in the case where the member is of rank A, in addition
to the service of rank B, additional optional service of expanding the
storage capacity and extending the storage period is provided. The
additional optional service needs a further increased number of points,
i.e., 100 points of the remaining points of the member. In other words,
in addition to the three choices each using 50 points as presented in the
case of rank B, additional three choices are further provided each of
which results in using 2700 counts obtained by adding 1200 counts (100
points×12=1200 counts) to the initially set 1500 counts, to thereby
provide six choices in total.

[0231] Hereinafter, a description is given of the processing of converting
and exchanging the points into the retention counts in the case of rank
A, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7.

[0232] As described above, when a member signs in, the point manager
checks the rank of the member. In the case of rank A, the point manager
checks the remaining points of the member to see whether the remaining
points have been accumulated to 50 points or more (S510).

[0233] In the case where the number of the remaining points is 50 or more
("Yes" in S510), the point manager further checks whether 100 points or
more are accumulated as the remaining points (S530).

[0234] In the case where the number of the remaining points is less than
100 ("No" in S530), the network center 12 causes the order entry channel
14 to display thereon the option selection screen shown in FIG. 4C so as
to urge the member to make a choice. In this case, in order to prohibit
the member from selecting the choices each using 100 points, selection
buttons for the choices may not be displayed. Alternatively, a screen in
which the choices each using 100 points are eliminated may be displayed.

[0235] In the case where the choice using 50 points of the remaining
points is selected in the option selection screen ("Yes" in S540), the 50
points are converted into counts (12×50 points=600 counts), and
further, 50 points are subtracted from the remaining points of the
member, so that the points are exchanged for counts (S550).

[0236] In the case where the selection is canceled ("No" in S540), the
remaining points are not converted into and exchanged for counts, and an
initial screen or the like is displayed on the order entry channel 14.

[0237] In the case where the number of the remaining points is 100 or more
("Yes" in S530), the network center 12 causes the order entry channel 14
to display thereon the option selection screen shown in FIG. 4C so as to
urge the member to make a choice.

[0238] In the case where the choice using 100 points of the remaining
points is selected in the option selection screen ("Yes" in S560), the
100 points are converted into counts (12×100 points=1200 counts),
and further, 100 points are subtracted from the remaining points of the
member, so that the points are exchanged for counts (S570).

[0239] Meanwhile, in the case where the choice using 50 points of the
remaining points is selected in the option selection screen ("No" in
S560, and further "Yes" in S540), the 50 points are converted into counts
(12×50 points=600 counts), and further, 50 points are subtracted
from the remaining points of the member, so that the points are exchanged
for counts (S550).

[0240] In the case where the selection is canceled ("No" in S540), the
remaining points are not converted into and exchanged for counts, and an
initial screen or the like is displayed on the order entry channel 14.

[0241] In the case where the number of the remaining points is less than
50 ("No" in S510), the member is notified, through the order entry
channel 14, of the fact that the change of the album setting with the use
of points cannot be made (S520).

[0242] In the option selection screen shown in FIG. 4C, six choices are
displayed on the order entry channel 14 as the optional service choices,
which include "expansion of storage capacity by 20 M bytes (50 points
needed)", "expansion of storage capacity by 40 M bytes (100 points
needed)", "extension of storage period by 12 days (50 points needed)",
"extension of storage period by 24 days (100 points needed)", "expansion
of storage capacity by 10 M bytes and extension of storage period by 5
days (50 points needed)", and "expansion of storage capacity by 25 M
bytes and extension of storage period by 6 days (100 points needed)". Of
those choices, the choices each using 50 points are similar to those of
the case of rank B described above.

[0243] The choice "expansion of storage capacity by 40 M bytes (100 points
needed)" is to expand the storage capacity, specifically, to expand the
upper limit of the storage capacity by 40 M bytes while the storage
period remains unchanged as 30 days. In other words, the album setting of
the member is made with the storage capacity of 90 M bytes and the
storage period of 30 days.

[0244] The choice "extension of storage period by 24 days (100 points
needed)" is to extend the storage period, specifically, to extend the
storage period by 24 days while the storage capacity remains unchanged as
50 M bytes. In other words, the album setting of the member is made with
the storage capacity of 50 M bytes and the storage period of 54 days.

[0245] The choice "expansion of storage capacity by 25 M bytes and
extension of storage period by 6 days (100 points needed)" is to expand
and extend the storage capacity and the storage period, respectively. The
storage capacity and the storage period are increased by 25 M bytes and
by 6 days, respectively. In other words, the album setting of the member
is made with the storage capacity of 75 M bytes and the storage capacity
of 36 days.

[0246] In any of those choices, the product of the number of M bytes and
the number of days (i.e., 90 M bytes×30 days, 50 M bytes×54
days, or 75 M bytes×36 days) is 2700. In other words, each of those
choices results in using 2700 counts which have been obtained by adding
1200 counts to the initially set 1500 counts. That is, each of those
choices is the optional service using 100 points of the remaining points.

[0247] When a member selects one of those choices, the processing shown in
FIG. 6 is executed as in the case of rank B. In the case of rank A, the
expansion processing and the extension processing in Steps S330, S379,
and S400, and the use of the points in Steps S340, S380, and S410 depend
on the choice selected by the member and the remaining points of the
member.

[0248] The member selects the desired optional service according to the
remaining points. When one of the options is selected, the album manager
changes the storage capacity or the storage period of the album of the
corresponding member, and further the point manager deducts the
corresponding number of points from the remaining points, according to
the option thus selected (S270). In this case, points are not subtracted
from the total points as described above.

[0249] In the example shown in FIG. 4C, the choices each corresponding to
either one of 50 points and 100 points are displayed in the case of rank
A. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the
choices each using 100 points may be displayed in the case of rank A.

[0250] In the above-mentioned example, a member selects the desired choice
from among the choices displayed on the order entry channel 14. According
to this embodiment, however, the choices are set based on the number of
counts calculated, and therefore, in the case of changing both the
storage capacity and the storage period, the storage capacity and the
storage period may be arbitrarily set according to the number of counts.

[0251] For example, a member may directly input the number of days to
extend and the storage capacity to expand, and the point manager may
calculate, according to the remaining points of the member, the storage
period and the storage capacity corresponding to the remaining points, to
thereby set the storage capacity and the storage period.

[0252] When the network center 12 completes the change of the album
setting and the calculation of the remaining point, an initial screen
such as a menu screen is displayed on the order entry channel 14 for
allowing the member to start executing an album editing processing or an
order placing processing through the screen.

[0253] In the case where the number of the remaining points is not enough
in Step S230, or where a member has selected "No" in Step S250, the
network center 12 causes the order entry channel 14 not to display the
point display screen and the option selection screen. When the member
signs in, the network center 12 causes the order entry channel 12 to
display the initial screen such as a menu screen through which the member
executes an album editing processing, an order placing processing, or the
like.

[0254] In the case of a member of rank C, the network center 12 causes the
order entry channel 14 not to display the option selection screen, unlike
in the cases of rank A and rank B, regardless of the number of the
remaining points. When the member signs in, the network center 12 causes
the order entry channel 14 to display thereon the initial screen such as
a menu screen through which the member executes an album editing
processing, an order placing processing, or the like.

[0255] According to the processing as described above, rank C is set to a
member who has just subscribed for the membership for the first time and
to a member who hardly has an order track record, and therefore the
choices to be selected are not displayed on the order entry channel 14
when the member signs in. A member of rank B, who has an order track
record equal to or higher than a predetermined value, is provided with
better service as compared with a member of rank C. A member of rank A,
who has an order track record further higher in amount as compared with a
member of rank B, is provided with service further better than the
service to be provided to the member of rank B.

[0256] In other words, according to the first embodiment, the rank of a
member is determined based on the total points, and the optional service
is provided to the member when the member signs in, according to the rank
thus determined. Accordingly, better service can be provided to a member
who has a better order track record, depending on the order track records
of the members.

[0257] The retention counts are used for setting the amount of the storage
capacity to be expanded and the amount of the storage period to be
extended, which allows the remaining points to be used for both the
expansion of the storage capacity and the extension of the storage
period, and the balance between the expansion of the storage capacity and
the extension of the storage period can be set based on the preference of
the member.

[0258] According to this embodiment, the members are ranked on a scale of
A to C. However, the members may be ranked in two stages, or may be
ranked minutely into four or more stages.

[0259] According to this embodiment, three patterns of choices, namely,
expansion of storage capacity, extension of storage period, and expansion
of storage capacity and extension of storage period, are displayed as
optional service. However, the present invention is not limited to this,
and the choices of the optional service may include only one or two of
the above-mentioned three patterns.

[0260] In the above-mentioned embodiment, a description is given of the
case where a member who has accumulated points voluntarily desires to
change the settings of the album at the time of sign-in. However, the
present invention is not limited to this, and the basic storage condition
of an image to be provided to a member may be changed (i.e., expanded)
when the rank of the member is raised. In this case as well, it is
preferable to use the above-mentioned retention counts. That is, the
number of counts as to an album is automatically increased with respect
to the member upgraded in rank, the storage capacity to be expanded and
the storage period to be extended are calculated, and the album is
expanded according thereto. In this manner, as in the case of the
optional service described above, the storage capacity and the storage
period may be expanded according to the preferences of customers, by
using the retention counts, thereby making it possible to provide service
further finely tuned.

[0261]FIG. 8 shows how the album setting is expanded due to an increase
in the number of counts when the rank of a member is raised.

[0262] In FIG. 8, C1 shows the album setting which has already been
provided to the member. The album setting is converted into 1500 counts
(50 M bytes×30 days=1500 counts).

[0263] Hereinafter, a description is given of a case where a member of
rank C is upgraded in rank to rank B based on the total points
accumulated in accordance with the number of orders which have been
placed. When the rank of the member is raised, the album manager adds,
for example, 900 counts to the album, to thereby increase the number of
the counts from 1500 counts to 2400 counts. Then, the storage capacity
and the storage period corresponding to the number of the counts are
calculated, and the album is expanded according to the number of the
counts thus increased. For example, as shown by C5 of FIG. 8, the
upper limit of the storage capacity is expanded by 10 M bytes, and
further the storage period is extended by 10 days. In this case, the
product of the number of M bytes and the number of days is 2400 (60 M
bytes×40 days), that is, the album setting corresponds to 2400
counts.

[0264] Further, a description is given of a case where a member of rank B
is upgraded in rank to rank A based on the total points accumulated in
accordance with the number of orders which have been placed. As an
example, the album is set such that a capacity of 60 M bytes is to be
stored for 40 days at a time just before the member is upgraded in rank.
That is, the album setting is converted into 2400 counts (60 M
bytes×40 days=2400 counts).

[0265] In this case, the album manager adds, for example, 2600 counts to
the album, to thereby increase the number of the counts from 2400 counts
to 5000 counts. Then, the storage capacity and the storage period
corresponding to the number of the counts are calculated, and the album
is expanded according to the number of the counts thus increased. For
example, as shown by C6 of FIG. 8, the upper limit of the storage
capacity is expanded by 40 M bytes, and further the storage period is
extended by 10 days. At this time, the product of the number of M bytes
and the number of days is 5000 (100 M bytes×50 days), that is, the
album setting corresponds to 5000 counts.

[0266] As described above, every time the rank of a member is raised, the
storage capacity and the storage period are extended and expanded in
stages, respectively, thereby making it possible to provide a highly
credible member with much better service increased in convenience.

[0267] In the above-mentioned example, when the rank of a member is
raised, the album manager automatically expands the album setting by
expanding the capacity and the storage period by a predetermined amount.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the
order entry channel 14 may display choices for conditions of album
setting so as to urge a member to select a condition, and the album
setting is expanded based on the condition thus selected.

[0268] This case is described as follows.

[0269] First, a description is given of a case where the rank of a member
is raised from C to B.

[0270] As described above, no point has been accumulated as the total
point when a member newly registers for membership, and rank C is
assigned to the member. The storage capacity and the storage period of
the album are initially set to 50 M bytes and 30 days, respectively. In
other words, the album setting corresponds to 1500 counts.

[0271] In this case, when the member is upgraded in rank to rank B based
on the total points accumulated in accordance with the number of orders
which have been placed, the album manager presents service which
corresponds to the increase of the number of the counts of the album from
1500 counts to 2400 counts. That is, the album manager causes the order
entry channel 14 to display thereon choices as shown in FIG. 9A for
expanding the storage capacity and extending the storage period such that
the storage capacity and the storage period of the album collectively
correspond to 2400 counts, and urges the member to make a choice.

[0272] The choices for the album setting include, for example, "50 M
bytes/48-day storage" (i.e., only the storage period is extended by 18
days from the initial setting), "80 M bytes/30-day storage" (i.e., only
the storage capacity is expanded by 30 M bytes from the initial setting),
and "60 M bytes/40-day storage" (i.e., the storage capacity is expanded
by 10 M bytes and the storage period is extended by 10 days, from the
initial setting). In any of those choices, the product of the number of M
bytes and the number of days (50 M bytes×48 days, 80 M
bytes×30 days, or 60 M bytes×40 days) is 2400. In other
words, the album setting corresponds to 2400 counts.

[0273] The member selects one of the choices corresponding to the desired
album setting. When the album setting is selected, the album manager
changes the storage capacity and/or the storage period of the album
corresponding to the member based on the setting thus selected.

[0274] A description is further given of a case where the rank of the
member is raised from C to A or from B to A.

[0275] When the member is upgraded in rank to rank A based on the total
points accumulated in accordance with the number of orders which have
been placed, the album manager presents optional service of increasing
the number of the counts of the album to 5000 counts. That is, the album
manager causes the order entry channel 14 to display thereon choices as
shown in FIG. 9B for expanding the storage capacity and the storage
period such that the storage capacity and the storage period of the album
collectively corresponds to 5000 counts, and urges the member to make a
choice.

[0276] The choices for the album setting include, for example, "50 M
bytes/100-day storage" (i.e., only the storage period is extended by 70
days from the initial setting), "166 M bytes/30-day storage" (i.e., only
the storage capacity is expanded by 116 M bytes from the initial
setting), and "100 M bytes/50-day storage" (i.e., the storage capacity is
expanded by 50 M bytes and the storage period is extended by 20 days,
from the initial setting). In any of those choices, the product of the
number of M bytes and the number of days (i.e., 50 M bytes×100
days, 166 M bytes×30 days, or 100 M bytes×50 days) is 5000.
In other words, the album setting corresponds to 5000 counts.

[0277] When the member selects one of the choices corresponding to the
desired album setting, the album manager changes the storage capacity
and/or the storage period of the album of the corresponding member based
on the settings thus selected.

[0278] It may also be possible to predetermine such courses as a course of
extending only the storage period, a course of expanding only the storage
capacity, and a course of expanding the storage capacity and extending
the storage period, based on the selection made by a member in creating
an album or the like. When the rank of the member is raised, the album
manager may automatically expand the album settings depending on the
predetermined courses. The album manager merely extends the storage
period according to the course of extending only the storage period,
merely expands the storage capacity according to the course of expanding
the storage capacity, and expands the storage capacity and the storage
period according to the course of expanding the storage capacity and the
storage period.

[0279] Even in this case, the choices are set based on the number of the
counts calculated. Accordingly, in a case of changing both of the storage
capacity and the storage period, a member may directly input the days to
extend and the storage capacity to expand, and the point manager
calculates the storage period or the storage capacity corresponding to
the remaining points based on the remaining points of the member, thereby
making it possible to arbitrarily set the storage capacity and the
storage period according to the number of the counts.

[0280] Further, optional service may be provided for each rank as a
bail-out measure for dealing with a capacity shortage of an album
resulting from uploading of a new image by a member onto the network
center 12.

[0281] FIG. 10 shows a flow of processing to be executed for each rank in
the case where the uploading of image data results in a capacity
shortage.

[0282] When the member uploads an image onto the network center 12 by
using the order entry channel 14 and the image is temporarily stored in
the network center 12 (S610), the network center 12 which has received
the image checks a free space currently available in the album of the
member and the data size of the image uploaded and temporarily stored, in
order to see whether the image data to be stored in the album exceeds a
specified capacity of the album or not when the image data is stored
(S620). When the image data to be stored in the album does not exceed the
capacity of the album ("Yes" in S620), the network center 12 stores the
image temporarily stored (S680). In S610, the member may transmit merely
the information on the data size of the image to be uploaded, instead of
actually uploading the image, to the network center 12.

[0283] Meanwhile, in the case where the data size of the image thus
uploaded is larger than the free space of the album ("No" in S620), the
image data to be stored in the album exceeds the capacity of the album,
and therefore some kind of a countermeasure must be taken.

[0284] In this case, according to this embodiment, when the image data to
be stored in the album exceeds the capacity of the album, the network
center 12 checks the rank of the member, and presents different choices
depending on the ranks, to thereby provide further better service
according to the order track record of the member.

[0285] In Step S630, the network center 12 checks the rank of the member.
In the case where the member is of rank A or B, the point manager checks
whether the number of the remaining points of the member is enough (50
points in this example) to execute any one of choices of options
described later (S640).

[0286] In the case where the rank of the member is A or B and enough
points are remaining ("Yes" in S640), the network center 12 causes the
order entry channel 14 to display thereon a screen shown in FIG. 11. In
this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, three kinds of choices are
displayed as a measure to deal with the case where the image data to be
stored in the album exceeds the album capacity. As shown in FIG. 11, the
three choices include "reselect upload image" and "edit album", and
further include "expand album capacity (50 points)", which is displayed
only to a member of rank A or B, as a choice of an option (S650).

[0287] When the choice "reselect upload image" is selected, the member
selects images again. In this case, the member may select images again so
as not to exceed the free space of the album.

[0288] When the choice "edit album" is selected, the member checks images
which have already been uploaded in the album, and deletes, from the
album, images on which an order has already been placed or images which
need not to be stored anymore, to thereby secure a free space in the
album necessary for uploading the new image.

[0289] When the choice "expand album capacity (50 points)" is selected,
the album manager changes the upper limit of the album capacity of the
member so as to be increased by a certain amount (for example, 20 M
bytes). Further, the album manager subtracts points (50 points in this
example) corresponding to the amount of the album capacity thus increased
from the remaining points in the point manager. In this manner, the
member is allowed to upload images originally intended to be uploaded,
without the need for selecting images again or for deleting any image in
the album.

[0290] In the manner as described above, the network center 12 executes
the processing selected by a member so as to secure a sufficient free
space (S670), to thereby store the image (S680).

[0291] Meanwhile, in the case of a member of rank C in Step 630, or in the
case where the remaining points are not enough to execute the choice of
an option ("No" in S640), the network center 12 causes the order entry
channel 14 to display thereon only two choices, that is, "reselect upload
image" and "edit album", without displaying the choice of an option
"expand album capacity (50 points)" (S660).

[0292] The member selects one of the two choices so as to execute the
processing as described above (S670), to thereby secure a sufficient free
space in the album, and uploads an image (S680).

[0293] In this manner, when an image is uploaded, the choices to be
displayed are changed according to the rank of a member. Accordingly, it
is possible to provide further better service to a member having a better
order track record.

[0294] In the example shown in FIG. 10, the same choices are displayed in
the cases of a member of rank A and rank B. However, the present
invention is not limited to this. In the case of rank A, for example, a
choice of an option to additionally provide a capacity of 40 M bytes in
compensation for another 100 points may further be provided in addition
to the choices shown in FIG. 11, to thereby differentiate the service to
be provided to a member of rank A from the service to be provided to a
member of rank B.

[0295] In the above embodiment, the system album can be expanded by
accumulating total points or using remaining points. In addition, in the
present invention, the system album may be reduced according to a status
of order placement made by a member. Specifically, in the album manager,
a service effective period is set as to the use of the system album, so a
member who has continuously placed a large number of orders can receive
further better service.

[0296] The reduction of the system album is performed as follows. That is,
the retention counts are calculated based on the storage capacity and the
storage period of the system album of a member, and the system album is
reset by using counts which are obtained by subtracting a predetermined
number of counts from the calculated retention counts, thereby reducing
the system album.

[0297] The service effective period is the period from the time a member
places a new order to the time the system album is reduced.

[0298] As one example, explanation will be made of a case where the album
manager makes a setting in which the service effective period is 6 months
and the system album is reduced by the amount of 100 counts after the
service effective period has passed. Further, the member possesses the
system album corresponding to 500 counts (50 M bytes×10 days).

[0299] When the member places an order through the order entry channel 14,
the album manager sets the date on which the order was placed as the
start date of the service effective period, and sets the date which is 6
months from the order placed date as the end date.

[0300] In the case where the member does not place any order, that is, the
total points are not increased, between the start date and the end date
of the service effective period, the album manager changes the setting of
the system album to the setting using 400 counts obtained by subtracting
100 counts from 500 counts which the member possesses, thereby reducing
the system album.

[0301] There is no limitation on the pattern of the system album reduction
through subtraction of retention counts. The system album may be reduced
to 400 counts by reducing only the storage capacity (40 M bytes×10
days), to 400 counts by reducing only the storage period (50 M
bytes×8 days), or to about 400 counts by reducing both of the
storage capacity and the storage period (44 M bytes×9 days). The
album manager may automatically determine the pattern of the system album
reduction while considering the status of the images stored in the system
album. Alternatively, a member may select the pattern of the system album
reduction from choices displayed on the order entry channel 14, or input
the pattern of the system album reduction through the order entry channel
14.

[0302] On the other hand, in the case where the member places a new order
between the start date and the end date of the service effective period,
the album manager sets the date of the new order as the start date of the
service effective period to thereby reset the service effective period.

[0303] Further, preferably, the album manager notifies the member of the
end date of the service effective period one to two weeks beforehand
through e-mail or the like. Whereby, the member can reset the service
effective period by placing a new order, thereby avoiding the reduction
of the system album, or the member can increase the free space by
deleting unnecessary images from among images stored in the system album,
thereby preparing for the reduction of the system album.

[0304] Further, in the above embodiment, the total points are accumulated
to increase without decreasing, so that the rank of a member does not
drop. However, in the present invention, the rank of a member may drop.
Specifically, an effective period is set for the total points, and the
rank of a member is regularly rejudged, so a member who has continuously
placed a large number of orders can receive better service.

[0305] The effective period of the total points is set to one year as one
example. The start date of the point effective period may be set to a
predetermined date determined by the point manager. The number of the
total points is zero at the time of the start date.

[0306] When a member places an order within one year from the start date,
points corresponding to the order are added to the total points to be
accumulated. When the point effective period has passed, the point
manager judges the rank of the member based on the total points
accumulated until the end date of the point effective period, and resets
the rank of the member. The judgment of the rank may be made by comparing
the total points with the predetermined threshold values similarly to the
above mentioned embodiment. Further, the point manager resets the total
points accumulated until the end date of the point effective period, sets
the day following the end date of the point effective period as a new
start date of the point effective period, and accumulates the total
points according to orders placed from the newly set start date during
the point effective period.

[0307] As described above, the rank of a member is rejudged each time a
point effective period has passed. Thus, in the case where a member who
temporarily placed a large number of orders and was judged to rank A does
not place any order after the total points are reset, the rank of the
member drops to rank B or rank C. Whereby, a member who has continuously
placed a large number of orders can receive better service.

[0308] Further, similarly to the total points, an effective period may be
set for the remaining points, and the accumulated remaining points may be
reset after the effective period has passed. Whereby, a member can
effectively utilize a desired service within the effective period by
using remaining points given.

[0309] In each of the above described embodiments, preferably, orders can
be placed not only for images of a member himself/herself but also for
images of others.

[0310] As described above, a member can create the share box for
disclosing the images of the member to others, whereby the member can
disclose the images in the share box to others by providing URL for
viewing the images to others. A person who viewed the images stored in
the share box can place an order such as printing for favorite images
thereamong.

[0311] At this time, in the case where the person who placed the order is
a member of the network system, the total points and the remaining points
are added to both of a creator of the share box, i.e., the member who
possesses the images ordered, and the member who has placed the order. In
the case where the person who placed the order is not a member of the
network system, the total points and the remaining points are added only
to the member who possesses the images ordered.

[0312] In this manner, when the total points and the remaining points are
added to the member due to the order placed by others, preferably, the
point manager notifies the member who possesses the images ordered of the
fact that the points are given through e-mail or the like.

[0313] Further, preferably, the counts retained by the member can be
converted into and exchanged for points according to the storage
conditions of the images, so that the member can use the points for a
desired service.

[0314] For example, there is considered a case where a member stores a
small number of images not for a long period, so the member cannot
effectively utilize the storage capacity and the storage period of the
system album corresponding to the number of the counts that are given to
and retained by the member. In this case, the counts corresponding to the
storage capacity and the storage period necessary for storing the images
may be secured, the remaining counts may be converted into and exchanged
for points, and the member may receive various services using the points.
Examples of the services using points include discount of printing
charge, and exchange of points for products. Whereby, even a member who
stores a small number of images not for a long period can effectively use
retention counts given.

[0315] In this embodiment, the center server is provided in the network
center, however, the present invention is not limited thereto. A part
other than the network center, such as the retailer system and the lab
system, may include the center server.

[0316] As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is
possible to provide different kinds of service depending on ranks of a
member, thereby making it possible to realize a center server
constituting an image network system capable of providing a better
service to a member having a good order track record, and an image
network system including the center server.

[0317] Further, the storage capacity and the storage period for image data
can be expanded and extended, respectively, according to the order track
record of a member, so that a member is allowed to store more images for
a longer period of time, thereby leading to the promotion of network
print ordering.

[0318] Further, the retention counts are used to set the expansion amounts
of the storage capacity and the storage period, which makes it possible
to use the remaining points to expand the storage capacity and to extend
the storage period. The balance between the storage capacity and the
storage period can further be set so as to suit the preference of the
member.

[0319] Further, in uploading an image, a member with a good order track
record can comfortably upload a new image without the need for deleting
images or selecting images again in the case of accidental capacity
shortage.

[0320] Next, a second embodiment of the image network system using the
center server of the present invention is described in detail.

[0321] In the network system 10 shown in FIG. 1, as described above, for
example, in creating a system album or when there is a request made by a
member afterward, selection/settings can be made on the maximum storage
capacity which is an upper limit of the storage capacity of the system
album and also on the storage period for storing images in the system
album.

[0322] In this case, when each of the choices corresponds to the same
number of retention counts, a member can select, in making
selection/settings of the storage period, the setting of the system album
as desired depending on how the member uses the album, without giving
consideration to the gain and loss to be produced according to the choice
to be selected. In addition, after selecting the initial setting of the
system album, depending upon the storage conditions of the images, a
member can appropriately change the storage capacity and the storage
period within the range not exceeding the number of the retention counts
given.

[0323] Further, points given to a member according to the order track
record are converted into and exchanged for retention counts, which are
used for expanding the settings on the storage period and on the maximum
storage capacity. The retention counts are also given to a member
according to the credibility of the member, and the retention counts thus
given may also be used to provide service of extending the storage period
and expanding the maximum storage capacity of the system album. Examples
of the above-mentioned service which is provided by using the retention
counts include service of extending the storage period and expanding the
maximum storage capacity of a system album, and service of providing an
extended storage period longer than an ordinary period for a specific
image.

[0324] According to a second embodiment described below in detail, the
above-mentioned services can be realized in the network system 10.

[0325] In the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the
storage capacity and the storage period of an album are converted into
"retention counts", which are used to set the storage capacity and the
storage period for an image. Also, one retention count (hereinafter,
referred to as "one count") corresponds to a case of storing an image of
1 M bytes for a day.

[0326] According to the second embodiment, the album manager shown in FIG.
1 provides a premium image setting function (i.e., extended storage image
selection function block) described later and a count setting function
(i.e., count setting function block), in addition to the management
function (i.e., storage condition management function) of managing the
maximum storage capacity and the storage period of an image in the
above-mentioned album, a share box, or a photo storage.

[0327] The storage period and the maximum storage capacity are set when a
system album is created (i.e., upon member registration), or when a
request is made by a member. Further, for a specific image selected by a
member as a premium storage image, a storage period different from that
of other images is set for the premium storage image. This point is
specifically described later.

[0328] As described above, the album function of the network center 12
provides a function of storing images in a system album for each member.
The system album has basic storage capacity and storage period set in
advance, and each member can freely upload images onto the network center
12 to the extent of the maximum storage capacity and the storage period.

[0329] The album manager manages the images stored in the album. Also, the
album manager manages the settings made as to the maximum storage
capacity, the storage period, and the like of the album, by using the
retention counts.

[0330] In other words, according to the second embodiment, the storage
capacity and the storage period are set by providing choices such that
each of the choices corresponds to the same number of the retention
counts.

[0331] The use of the retention counts as described above makes it
possible to provide various services regarding an album. For example, a
plurality of choices using the same number of retention counts are
provided for setting an album, and a member selects a desired setting
from among the choices thus provided.

[0332] When a customer newly registers for membership to the network
center 12 through the order entry channel 14, a system album is
automatically created for each member by the album function as described
above.

[0333] At this time, the album manager causes the order entry channel 14
to display thereon the album setting screen for making an initial setting
on the maximum storage capacity and the storage period of the system
album.

[0334] In the album setting screen, a plurality of courses are displayed
as choices so that a member can set the maximum storage capacity and the
storage period depending on how the member uses the album. The member is
urged to select a desired one of the courses displayed.

[0335] An example of the album setting screen may be a screen shown in
FIG. 13.

[0336] In FIG. 13, the album manager causes the order entry channel 14 to
display thereon three choices as the initial settings of a system album
when a customer registers for membership. The three choices include: a
"capacity-weighted course (50 M/10 days)", a "period-weighted course (10
M bytes/50 days)", and a "premium storage course (5 M/standard 50 days,
premium 150 days)".

[0337] In this case, according to the "capacity-weighted course", of the
functions of the album, the maximum storage capacity is set to be large
while the storage period is set to be shorter than that of the
"period-weighted course". On the other hand, according to the
"period-weighted course", the maximum storage capacity is not so large
while the storage period is set to be long, as compared with those of the
"capacity-weighted course".

[0338] According to the above-mentioned two courses, the same storage
period is set to every image stored in the album. However, in the images
stored in the album, there may exist images which the member wants to
keep for a long period and images which the member does not want to keep
for a long period. In view of this, the images are sorted as to whether
the image is stored for an ordinary period or the image is stored for a
period longer than the ordinary period, to thereby efficiently use the
counts of the album. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the
"premium storage course" is presented as a third choice.

[0339] According to the "premium storage course", the images in an album
are sorted into "ordinary image" and "premium storage image (hereinafter,
referred to as "premium image")", and the maximum storage capacity of the
album is set to be further smaller than that of the "period-weighted
course" while a storage period can be set further longer than that of the
"period-weighted course" only for a premium image.

[0340] The premium image refers to an image that is to be stored for a
longer period as compared with an ordinary image. A member who has
selected the premium storage course selects from among the images in the
album, an image to be stored as the premium image, through the order
entry channel 14. The selection may be made when uploading the image, or
may be made arbitrarily after the uploading of the image by requesting
the order entry channel 14 to display thereon a screen for selecting an
image as the premium image. The image thus selected is regarded as the
premium image, to which a storage period of 150 days is set. On the other
hand, the rest of the images which are not selected by the member are
regarded as the ordinary image, to which a storage period of 50 days is
set. According to this embodiment, images of up to 2.5 M bytes can be
selected as the premium images.

[0341] The album setting in the "capacity-weighted course" is converted
into 500 counts (50 M bytes×10 days=500 counts). On the other hand,
the album setting in the "period-weighted course" is converted into 500
counts (10 M bytes×50 days=500 counts). Further, the album setting
in the "premium storage course" is converted into 500 counts, which is
obtained by adding 125 counts (2.5 M bytes×50 days=125 counts) of
an ordinary image to 375 counts (2.5 M bytes×150 days=375 counts)
of the premium image in the case where the images corresponding to a data
size of 2.5 M bytes are selected as the premium image.

[0342] As described above, according to the above-mentioned three courses,
the album setting for each course corresponds to the retention counts of
500 counts. In other words, each of those courses corresponds to the same
number of retention counts. Accordingly, a member can select the setting
of the album as desired depending on how the member uses the album,
without giving consideration to the gain and loss to be produced
depending on the course to be selected. Further, in the network center
12, the same load is imposed on a server no matter which of the courses
is selected, whereby a member can select any course in a fair manner.

[0343] According to the second embodiment of the present invention as
described above, for example, a member who wishes to order a large number
of images at once may select the "capacity-weighted course". A member who
may repeatedly order a small number of images or a member who has
uploaded images to the system album but still wishes to order an image
after a certain period of time from the uploading may select the
"period-weighted course". Further, a member who wishes to order only a
specific image after a certain period of time from the uploading may
select the "premium storage course". As described above, a member can
select a desirable course on the basis of the network system 10 or the
use of the image.

[0344] Further, as described above, each of those three courses has the
album setting corresponding to the retention count of 500 counts. Thus, a
member can desirably set the system album according to the member's usage
regardless of gain and loss generated by the selection of the course. In
addition, in the network center 12, irrespective of the selection of the
course, the load to the server is assumed to be the same. As a result,
the center server can be stably provided.

[0345] In this embodiment, the choices each using the retention counts of
500 counts are presented as the initial setting of the system album,
however, the number of the retention counts at the time of the initial
setting may be freely set on the retailer system side or the lab system
side as long as the choices use the same number of the retention counts.

[0346] Further, the course setting of the system album may be changed
after the member registration by displaying the album setting screen of
FIG. 13. For example, the course setting may be changed in a case where a
member presses a predetermined album setting change button or the like to
request the album manager to change the setting through the order entry
channel 14 during sign-in or browsing of an album.

[0347] The member can appropriately change the storage capacity and the
storage period within the range not exceeding the number of the retention
counts that are given to the member at the initial setting of the system
album and are retained by the member.

[0348] That is, in this embodiment, the member selects the album setting
for the amount of 500 counts among the choices presented in the initial
setting of the system album. Thus, the member is given and retains 500
counts as the retention counts that the member can use. Thereafter, the
member can freely change the setting of the storage capacity and the
storage period of the system album along with the increase or decrease of
the data sizes of the images stored in the system album to the extent not
to exceed the number of the counts retained.

[0349] The setting of the system album needs only be changed depending
upon the condition at the time. For example, the setting of the system
album is changed in such a manner that when the data sizes of the images
stored in the system album are small, the storage capacity is reduced and
the storage period is extended for the reduced amount of the storage
capacity, or when the data sizes of the images which a member wishes to
store are large, the storage period is shortened and the storage capacity
is expanded for the shortened amount of the storage period.

[0350] For example, the setting of the system album for a member having
500 counts can be changed to any setting other than the above described
choices, such as a setting of 5 M bytes×100 days=500 counts or a
setting of 100 M bytes×5 days=500 counts.

[0351] Not all the counts given are necessarily used for album setting,
and the album setting may be changed to any setting such as a setting of
10 M bytes×30 days=300 counts. That is, a member can change the
album setting by using necessary counts out of the counts given.

[0352] In this manner, a member can appropriately change the setting of
the system album depending upon a data amount of images actually stored
in the system album.

[0353] In the case where counts remain after performing album setting by
using the necessary number of counts, a member may convert the remaining
counts into points, exchange the counts for the converted points, and
receive various services using the points. For example, in the above
embodiment, 200 counts (500 counts-300 counts) can be used for receiving
service using points. Conversion and exchange of counts into/for points,
and service using points will be described in detail later.

[0354] As described above, the network system 10 manages the points given
to and retained by each member based on the order track record in the
point manager. Further, the album manager manages the storage condition
of an image based on the retention counts. In the second embodiment, in
view of the above-mentioned points, remaining points retained by the
member managed in the point manager may be converted into and exchanged
for retention counts to be used in the album service. For example,
irrespective of the course selected by a member on the album setting
screen of FIG. 13, a specific image may be selected as a premium image,
and regarding the image management of the album, in the point manager,
the remaining points of the member may be converted into and exchanged
for retention counts so that the premium image can be stored for a long
period of time according to the number of the counts.

[0355] In this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, one point in
the point manager corresponds to 12 counts of the retention count.

[0356] In this embodiment, among the images in the album, an image
required to be stored for a long period of time is set as a premium
image. After the normal storage period, the storage period of the premium
image is extended for a predetermined period according to the remaining
points of a member and the premium image is stored in the album for the
corresponding period.

[0357] Similarly to the example described above, in a case where a member
presses the button displayed on the order entry channel 14 to prompt the
premium image selection screen to be displayed when images are newly
uploaded to the album or while the images are stored in the album
afterward, the network center 12 causes the order entry channel 14 to
display thumbnail images of the album images. Among those images, when a
member selects an image to be set for the premium storage, the selected
image is set as a premium image in the album function.

[0358] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating how a premium image is
selected. It should be noted that the following description can be
adopted in the case of the premium storage course in the above-mentioned
album setting screen of FIG. 13 and in the case of a later described
extended storage of the premium image using retention counts
automatically given to a member when a rank of the member is raised.

[0359] In a case where a member presses the button displayed on the order
entry channel 14 to prompt the premium image selection screen to be
displayed when images are newly uploaded to the album or while the images
are stored in the album afterward, the network center 12 causes the order
entry channel 14 to display thumbnail images of the album images (S710).
When a member selects an image to be set for the premium storage among
the displayed images (S720), image information of the selected image
recorded in the image information table is updated, and the selected
image is set as a premium image (S730).

[0360] FIG. 12 is an example of the image information table. The table
stores table information concerning each image uploaded by a member.

[0361] The image information is managed based on various pieces of
information starting from an image code. In the table, a stored file
indicates a file in which an uploaded image file is stored. A thumbnail
indicates an image file in a case of displaying a list of thumbnail
images. A view image file indicates an image file in a case of performing
a slideshow. As described above, information is stored in an optimum form
according to the intended use. Accordingly, a list can be displayed
rapidly and a slideshow can be played smoothly, thereby enhancing
operability by a member.

[0362] Further, the image information table contains a stored file size
and a premium storage flag for each image. In the album function (i.e.,
capacity management function), "1" is input to the premium storage flag
of image information corresponding to the image selected in Step S720.
The selected premium image is therefore determined as a premium image.

[0363] Subsequently, the network center 12 causes the order entry channel
14 to display a comment input screen regarding the image selected as a
premium image, and a member is asked to input a comment (S740). As the
comment, characters can be recorded so as to indicate a content of each
image, such as "Family trip, summer 2003". A member may input the comment
if necessary.

[0364] Further, if required, the network center 12 allows a member to set
an upper limit of the storage period again within a period set in the
album manager (S750). In other words, in this embodiment, the storage
period of the premium image is set to 150 days. However, regarding an
image which does not need to be stored for the entire period, a member
arbitrary sets the storage period again to, for example, 100 days. As a
result, it is prevented that the album capacity is unnecessarily occupied
by images which do not need to be stored and remaining points of the
member are wasted.

[0365] Upon completion of Steps S730 to S750, the image is set as a
premium image. In a case of continuously selecting another premium image
("No" in Step S760), the procedure returns to Step S720 to select a
premium image, and the above-mentioned processing is repeated.

[0366] Upon completing the selection of the premium images ("Yes" in Step
S760), an image data size regarding the premium images is calculated for
each file format in the album manager (S770). This processing is a
preparation for the following situation in a case of uploading a new
image to the album. That is, in a case where the capacity is overloaded
and the upload is prohibited, the file format of the image data stored in
the album is converted, and therefore the data size of the image is
reduced to secure enough free space.

[0367] In other words, according to the processing, in uploading a new
image or the like henceforth, in a case where a file format of image data
is converted to compensate for the shortage of capacity, a free space
that can be secured in the case of converting the format can be
calculated rapidly. In addition, by reducing the data size of a premium
image as described above, a member can reduce a number of counts and a
number of remaining points used to extend storage of a premium image. It
should be noted that, regarding the conversion of the file format,
conversion from RAW to TIFF is most effective for securing a free space.

[0368] Referring to a flowchart of FIG. 15, a file size calculation method
of a premium image for each file format is described in detail.

[0369] Upon completing the selection of the premium images ("Yes" in Step
S760 of FIG. 14), image information of a premium image is retrieved from
the image information table, and the file format type thereof is read out
(S810) in the album manager.

[0370] In a case where the file format type is "JPEG" ("Yes" in Step
S820), a stored file size of the premium image is read out from the image
information table, and the stored file size is added to obtain a total
file size of JPEG data (S830).

[0371] Meanwhile, in a case where the file format type is "TIFF" ("No" in
Step S820 and "Yes" in Step S840), a stored file size of the premium
image is read out from the image information table, and the stored file
size is added to obtain a total file size of TIFF data (S850).

[0372] Further, in a case where the file format type is "RAW" ("No" in
Step S840 and "Yes" in Step S860), a stored file size of the premium
image is read out from the image information table, and the stored file
size is added to obtain a total file size of RAW data (S870).

[0373] In a case where the file format type does not correspond to the
above-mentioned three types ("No" in Step S860), a stored file size of
the premium image is read out from the image information table, and the
stored file size is added to obtain a total capacity of other images
(S880).

[0374] The processing as described above is repeated for all the premium
images (S890).

[0375] In the example of FIG. 14, upon completion of the file size
calculation for each file format (S770), an extended storage period of a
premium image is calculated in the album manager (S780). According to the
processing, remaining points of a member and a future consumption amount
of the retention counts are estimated based on the extended storage
period of a premium image.

[0376] Referring to a flowchart of FIG. 16, the method for calculating the
extended storage period of a premium image is described in detail.

[0377] Upon completion of the file size calculation of a premium image for
each file format (S770 of FIG. 14), an upload date is read out from the
image information of the premium image stored in the image information
table in the album manager (S910).

[0378] Subsequently, a premium storage start date is recorded in the image
information of the premium image. In this embodiment, the storage period
of a normal image is 50 days. Thus, the day 50 days from the upload date,
that is, 51st day, corresponds to the start date of the extended storage
period of the premium image. The date of the 51st day is stored in the
image information table as the premium storage start date (S920).

[0379] The processing as described above is repeated for all the premium
images (S930).

[0380] Accordingly, by reading data out of the image information table,
the date on which the extended storage of a premium image is started and
a stored file size thereof can be previously calculated. As a result,
remaining points to be used by the album and a future consumption amount
of the retention counts can be predicted.

[0381] Upon completion of the processing up to Step S780 of FIG. 14 as
described above, the setting of a premium image with respect to the image
selected by the member is completed.

[0382] In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that, in an album
in which the maximum storage capacity of 50 M bytes and the storage
period of 30 days are set, images of 30 M bytes are stored in the album,
and images corresponding to 20 M bytes out of the images of 30 M bytes
are set as premium images.

[0383] A premium image is stored in the album as in the case of a normal
image for the normal storage period of 30 days, unless the member deletes
the premium image. Upon exceeding 30 days, the premium image is further
stored for an extended period corresponding to remaining points of the
member.

[0384] It is assumed that, in the album, an image of 10 M bytes is
uploaded to the album as a standard image, and an image of 20 M bytes is
uploaded as a premium image five days later. FIG. 17A shows a state of
the album in a case where 25 days have passed since the standard image of
10 M bytes has been uploaded.

[0385] At a time point of FIG. 17A, a standard image I1 and a premium
image I2 are within a range (C10) of the maximum storage
capacity and the storage period. Thus, the standard image I1 and the
premium image I2 are stored in the album.

[0386] Next, FIG. 17B shows a state of the album in a case where
additional 11 days have passed since the time point shown in FIG. 17A. At
this time, regarding the standard image I1, the storage period is
already expired. Thus, the standard image I1 is deleted from the
album. Meanwhile, regarding the premium image I2, the normal storage
period is expired 10 days after the time point shown in FIG. 17A, so that
the extended storage period based on the remaining points starts from the
time point shown in FIG. 17B.

[0387] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the storage period of a
premium image is extended from the normal period by using the remaining
points converted into and exchanged for counts in a unit of 50 points.

[0388] Specifically, when 30 days have passed since a premium image is
uploaded as shown in FIG. 17B, remaining points of a member are confirmed
in the point manager. In a case where 50 points or more still remain, 50
points are subtracted from the remaining points of the member in the
point manager, and the number of counts corresponding to 50 points, that
is, 600 counts (50×12=600 counts), are used for extending storage
of the premium images.

[0389] In this embodiment, the premium image has a size of 20 M bytes.
Thus, in a case of storing the image for a day, 20 counts (20 M
bytes×1 day=20 counts) are required. That is, in a case where 600
counts are used for extending the storage period of the premium image,
the premium images can be stored in the album for 30 days (600/20=30
days) after the normal storage period.

[0390] Further, at the time the extending period of 30 days expires, in a
case where 50 points or more still remain, 50 points are used again to
further extend the storage period for 30 days.

[0391] It should be noted that, when the normal storage period is expired
or when the storage period extended by using the remaining points is
expired, a member may judge whether or not to use the remaining points to
further extend the storage period. Alternatively, in the point manager,
in the case where 50 points or more still remain, the storage period may
be automatically extended.

[0392] As described above, by using remaining points of a member, the
storage period of a premium image is extended. Accordingly, a member who
has ordered a larger number of images can receive better service.

[0393] Further, preferably, a member can increase or decrease the number
of counts retained depending upon the storage conditions of the images,
and use the counts for a desired service.

[0394] For example, a member may further expand the system album by
purchasing retention counts. Thus, it is possible to satisfy the demand
of a member who wants to store more images for a long period.

[0395] On the contrary, it is considered that there is a member who cannot
effectively use the storage capacity and the storage period of the system
album corresponding to the number of the counts which the member is given
and retains, because the member stores a small number of images not for a
long period. For such member, the following process may be performed.
That is, retention counts corresponding to the storage capacity and the
storage period necessary for image storage are secured, and the remaining
retention counts retained are converted into and exchanged for points to
be used for receiving various services. Examples of the service using
points include discount of printing charge and exchange of points for
commercial products. Whereby, even a member who stores a small number of
images not for a long period can effectively use the retention counts
given.

[0396] Regarding the network system 10 as described above, in order to
store more images in the center server for a longer period of time, a
customer may make a plurality of member registrations with different
names to secure album capacities for a plurality of customers, even
though the customer is a single person. In a case where such a member
receives a long-term storage service of an image in the system album, an
extremely large number of images is eventually stored for a long period
of time. This situation is unfavorable.

[0397] Thus, by using the retention counts, points given to a member based
on the member's order track record is regarded as credibility of the
member. Further, by giving the retention counts only to a member with
high credibility, the member may receive better service.

[0398] In other words, regarding a service using the retention counts,
other than by using the remaining points, in a case where the rank of a
member is raised, a number of the counts of the album may be
automatically increased and the counts may be used to expand the storage
capacity of the album or extend the storage period of premium images. A
member can receive those services irrespective of the course selected by
the member in the album setting screen of FIG. 13.

[0399] In other words, total points managed in the point manager may be
considered as credibility of a member, and a member having total points
of a predetermined number or more may be allowed to store a specific
image as a premium image for a long period of time in the system album.

[0400] In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that, in the album
of a member, the maximum storage capacity of 50 M bytes and the storage
period of 30 days are initially set. Further, in the album, images
corresponding to 20 M bytes are stored as premium images. Further, rank C
is set to the member.

[0401] In this case, explanation will be made of a case where the member
accumulates total points through ordering to be raised to rank B.

[0402] In FIG. 18, C11 shows that, in the current album of the
member, the maximum storage capacity of 50 M bytes, the storage period of
30 days, and the use of 1500 counts (50 M bytes×30 days) are set.

[0403] In a case where the member of rank C increases total points through
ordering to be raised to rank B, the album manager adds, for example, 900
counts to 1500 counts at the time of the initial setting to increase the
count of the album to 2400 counts.

[0404] Subsequently, the storage capacity and the storage period
corresponding to the number of the counts are calculated. Then, the album
is expanded according to the number of the increased counts. For example,
the album is expanded as indicated by C12 of FIG. 18. That is, the
upper limit of the storage capacity is expanded by 10 M bytes to be 60 M
bytes, and the storage period is extended by 10 days to be 40 days. In
this case, the product of the numbers of M bytes and the number of days
is 2400 (60 M bytes×40 days). This means that the album setting
corresponds to 2400 counts.

[0405] It should be noted that the expansion of the album using the counts
can be arbitrarily set by a member. Other than the example described
above, any setting such as a setting of 40 M bytes×60 days or a
setting of 80 M bytes×30 days is acceptable as long as the counts
of the album is 2400.

[0406] Further, in this embodiment, if required by a member, 900 counts
(i.e., a portion E represented by the oblique lines of FIG. 18) added due
to the raise of the rank may be used to extend storage of a premium
image.

[0407] That is, in the album as described above, in a case where the rank
of a member having a premium image is raised, counts corresponding to a
free space which is not used to store an image (900 counts at maximum in
this embodiment) out of the counts added due to the raise of the rank can
be allocated to the storage period of a premium image.

[0408] In this embodiment, a premium image I3 has a size of 20 M
bytes. Thus, by allocating the counts corresponding to the free space to
the extension of the storage period of a premium image, the extending
period of 45 days (900 counts/20 M bytes=45 days) can be secured at
maximum. Accordingly, in this case, the premium image is stored in the
album for additional 45 days after the predetermined storage period of 30
days.

[0409] Further, a member may arbitrarily decide how to use the counts
corresponding to the free space. For example, in a case where there are
900 counts corresponding to the free space, 300 counts of those counts
are used for extending storage of a premium image to obtain the extending
period of 15 days (300 counts/20 M bytes=15 days), and the remaining 600
counts are allocated to the expansion of the maximum storage capacity of
the album to expand the maximum storage capacity by 20 M bytes (600
counts/30 days=20 M bytes). As described above, the use of the counts can
be desirably set according to each member.

[0410] As described above, by using the retention counts given at the time
of raise of a rank of a member, the storage period of a premium image is
extended. Accordingly, a member of a higher rank, that is, a member with
a larger number of orders in the order track record can receive better
service.

[0411] In this embodiment, images stored in the album are classified into
a normal image and a premium image. Then, the remaining points or the
counts given due to the raise of the rank are used to extend storage
period of the premium image alone. Accordingly, a member can allocate the
points or the counts only to an image which is desired to be stored for a
long period of time. Thus, the use of the points or the counts possessed
by the member is minimized, and the member can receive better service.

[0412] Further, by using the points given based on the order track record
and the retention counts given based on credibility of a member, a
premium storage service for realizing a further longer storage period is
provided. With this service, a capacity of the center server can be
provided for a long period of time to a member with a larger number of
orders in the order track record, that is, a member with higher
credibility.

[0413] In addition, a customer who makes a plurality of member
registrations to falsely secure a large amount of an album capacity has a
small number of orders in the order track record. Therefore, a rank of
the customer is not raised, and remaining points of the customer never
reach the predetermined number. Thus, such a customer cannot receive the
service of the premium storage course. As a result, it is possible to
prevent the capacity of the center server from being occupied by a
specific customer.

[0414] As is apparent from the above description, according to the second
embodiment of the image network system using the center server of the
present invention, in a case where a member sets a maximum storage
capacity and a storage period of the system album, the order entry
channel 14 is caused to display a plurality of courses corresponding to
constant retention counts as options. Then, a member is allowed to select
a desired course. As a result, without placing a heavy load on the center
server, the stable center server which can be readily managed can be
provided. Further, a member can select a course suitable for use in
setting the system album according to the member's usage regardless of
gain and loss. Therefore, a member can use the album conveniently.

[0415] Further, the service which enables a longer storage period with
respect to specific images based on the order track record of a member
and the credibility of a member is provided. With this service, a larger
capacity of the album can be provided to a member with a larger number of
orders in the order track record. Simultaneously, it is possible to
prevent the capacity from being occupied more than necessary by a
customer who makes a plurality of member registrations to falsely secure
an album capacity.

[0416] In this embodiment, the center server is provided in the network
center, however, the present invention is not limited thereto. A part
other than the network center, such as the retailer system and the lab
system, may include the center server.

[0417] Subsequently, a third embodiment of an image network system which
uses the center server of the present invention will be described in
detail.

[0418] In the third embodiment, among images stored in the system album in
the network center, data sizes of only the unordered images are summed
up, and the data sizes of the images in the system album are managed
based on whether or not the obtained data sizes of the unordered images
exceeds the maximum storage capacity to notify a transmittable data size
to a member. The member performs ordering, thereby enabling a larger
number of images to be uploaded to the network center. As a result, a
larger number of orders are placed through the network system.

[0419] Further, in a case where the capacity is overloaded in uploading an
image, a countermeasure for transmitting an image is presented to a
member. Accordingly, the member is allowed to upload a desired image
smoothly. Regarding all the images stored in the album, including
unordered images, a countermeasure for transmission of an image is
presented to a member.

[0420] FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram showing a system configuration of
the image network system of the third embodiment which uses the center
server of the present invention.

[0421] It should be noted that a configuration of a network system 110
shown in FIG. 19 is similar to that of the network system 10 of FIG. 1
except that the network system 110 shown in FIG. 19 does not include the
point manager in the back end. Therefore, a detailed description thereof
will be omitted, and a characteristic point of the network system 110
will be described hereinafter.

[0422] In this embodiment, in an order entry channel 114, each uploaded
image is assigned with an order identifier for identifying if the
uploaded image is an ordered image which has been ordered before, or an
unordered image which has not been ordered, and is stored in the system
album. In a case where an unordered image is ordered, an order identifier
of the image is changed to an identifier indicating an ordered image in
the network center 112.

[0423] In this embodiment, the album function includes a capacity
management function. In the capacity management function, the capacity of
the system album for each member is managed based only on the data size
of an image (i.e., unordered image) which has not been ordered for print
and the like even once.

[0424] In a case where an image is requested from the order entry channel
114 to be uploaded, a value of the total data size of unordered images in
the system album and a total value of the data size of images which are
requested to be uploaded are calculated based on data stored in the image
information table or the order identifier in the capacity management
function. Further, the total values are added. The obtained value is
subtracted from the capacity (i.e., maximum storage capacity) of the
system album for one member, thereby calculating the free space of the
system album. In a case where a member has requested to upload an image,
but the free capacity of the system album is short, a capacity overflow
processing screen is displayed. Alternatively, the album function causes
the order entry channel 114 to display an unordered image in the system
album. This processing will be described in detail later.

[0425] Hereinafter, a data size management method of a storage image
according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be
described in detail.

[0426] As described above, the album function of the network center 112
has a function for storing images in the system album for each member.
The system album is set in advance with the maximum storage capacity
which indicates an upper limit value of the storage capacity. A member
can upload an image to the network center 112 freely within the range of
the maximum storage capacity. It should be noted that, as described
above, the service in which an image is stored in the system album is
only provided to members.

[0427] Whether or not the data size of an image stored in the system album
exceeds the maximum storage capacity is judged based on the value of the
total file size of unordered images among the images stored in the system
album.

[0428] As described above, the network center 112 has the table (i.e.,
image information table) for managing the image information including the
stored file size and the latest order date for each image. The album
function (i.e., capacity management function) accordingly obtains a data
size of each image and judges whether or not the image is an unordered
image. The album function (i.e., capacity management function) then adds
stored file sizes of only the unordered images in the system album,
whereby the total value can be calculated.

[0429] By referring to the above-mentioned latest order date and stored
file size information in the image information table, whether or not each
image is an unordered image is judged and the data size of each image is
obtained.

[0430] FIG. 20 shows an example of the image information table according
to the third embodiment. It should be noted that the configuration of the
image information table of FIG. 20 is similar to that of the image
information table of FIG. 12, except that the image information table of
FIG. 20 does not include the premium storage flag and the premium storage
start date. Therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0431] The album function reads out the latest order date in the image
information table for each image of a member. In a case where date
information is not recorded in the latest order date, the image is
recognized as an unordered image. Meanwhile, in a case of an image having
date information in the latest order date, the image is recognized as an
ordered image. Further, regarding the image recognized as an unordered
image, file size information of a stored file size is read out. Stored
file sizes read out are summed up so as to obtain a value of the total
stored file size of the unordered images in the system album.

[0432] Further, as described above, an image stored in the system album is
given with an order identifier for identifying whether the stored image
is an ordered image and an unordered image. Accordingly, the value of the
total stored file size of only the unordered images in the system album
may alternatively be calculated in the following manner. That is, an
unordered image is distinguished by the order identifier, and a stored
file size of the distinguished image is read out from the image
information table.

[0433] The album function adds the total value of the stored file size of
only the unordered images in the system album and a file size of image
data to be uploaded. In a case where the obtained value does not exceed
the maximum storage capacity, the image is uploaded.

[0434] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing starting from a
request of uploading by a member to performing the uploading.

[0435] A member signs in to the network center 112 via the order entry
channel 114. Then, the member requests to upload an image by using the
album function and the order web (S1010). Then, the album function
obtains information retained in the system album of the member such as a
latest order date and a stored file size of each image by using the image
information table (S1020).

[0436] By determining an image with no latest order date recorded as an
unordered image or by determining the image as an unordered image by the
order identifier in the album function, based on the obtained
information, unordered images are identified, stored file sizes of
respective unordered images are added, and the sum of the file sizes of
the respective unordered images in the system album is calculated. Then,
the album function subtracts the calculated sum of the file sizes of the
unordered images from the maximum storage capacity of images to be stored
in the system album to obtain the free space (S1030). The maximum storage
capacity is allocated for each member and is set in advance in the album
manager. The free space indicates the upper limit value of the data size
of an image which can be newly uploaded to the system album by the
member.

[0437] In the case where the free space is calculated, the album function
causes the order entry channel 114 to display a screen for notifying the
free space as shown in FIG. 22A. Then, the member is prompted to select
whether or not to upload the image (S1040).

[0438] In the screen of FIG. 22A, when a member selects the "upload"
button (S1050), a screen for selecting an upload image as shown in FIG.
22B is displayed on the order entry channel 114 (S1060).

[0439] In the screen of FIG. 22B, a list of images that have been
transmitted by the member using the order entry channel 114 or those that
have been saved in the order entry channel 114 is displayed as thumbnail
images on the left-hand side thereof. Further, the album function obtains
information such as a stored file size of the displayed image. From those
thumbnail images, the member uses a mouse, keyboard, or the like to
select an image to be uploaded to the system album.

[0440] Every time an image is selected, the album function adds the stored
file size of the selected image to the sum of the file size of all the
unordered images in the system album calculated in Step S1030 (S1070).

[0441] In addition, the value obtained through the addition and the
maximum storage capacity of the system album are compared (S1080). In the
case where the maximum storage capacity is larger than the value obtained
through the addition, the selected image is displayed on the right-hand
side of the screen shown in FIG. 22B as an upload candidate image. As
described above, the member can select an image within the range of the
maximum storage capacity. Upon completion of the selection (S1100), the
album function uploads the image selected as the upload candidate image
to the system album (S1110).

[0442] On the other hand, when the maximum storage capacity is smaller
than the value obtained through the addition as a result of comparison in
Step S1080, the selected image cannot be uploaded because of insufficient
free space left in the system album. In this case, the order entry
channel 114 notifies the member of the shortage of the free space by
alarm sound or by displaying an alarm message, and displays a selection
screen of the capacity overflow processing shown in FIG. 23A (S1090). It
should be noted that an alarming method is not limited to those described
above.

[0443] The capacity overflow processing refers to processing that is
carried out when the free space of the system album is short with respect
to the file size of the image which the member wishes to be uploaded. In
this embodiment, six types of processing of "reselection of an image to
be uploaded", "ordering of an unordered image in the album", "deletion of
the unordered image in the album", "reduction in image size of the
unordered image in the album", "compression of the unordered image in the
album", and "change of format of the unordered image" are displayed so
that the member can select the desired processing.

[0444] When the member selects the "reselection of an image to be
uploaded", the album function displays a screen for prompting the member
to reselect an image from the upload candidate images as shown in FIG.
22B on the order entry channel 114. The member then sets the image
selected as the upload candidate image in the screen back to a
non-selected state by using a mouse, keyboard, or the like to delete the
selected image, whereby selection is made again in a range that the free
space does not become short.

[0445] When the member selects the "ordering of an unordered image in the
album", the order web obtains every unordered image from the system album
of the member, and displays the list of unordered images on the left-hand
side of the display panel of the order entry channel 114 as thumbnail
images so as to display a screen for prompting the member to select an
image for order on the order entry channel 114 as shown in FIG. 23B.

[0446] The member selects the image for order from the displayed unordered
images by the same method as that in the screen shown in FIG. 22B. The
selected unordered images, information thereof, etc. are transmitted to
the order manager. The order manager carries out the order processing for
the selected unordered image. At this time, the album function stores the
latest order date of the image that has been subjected to the order
processing, whereby the image is set as an ordered image.

[0447] Upon completion of the order processing, the album function again
sums up the stored file sizes of all the unordered images in the system
album of the member, to thereby recalculate the free space. Further, the
screen shown in FIG. 22B is displayed again to prompt the member to
select the upload image. Accordingly, the member can resume the selection
of the upload image as in Step S1060, based on the recalculated stored
file size of the unordered images.

[0448] When the member selects the "deletion of the unordered image in the
album", the album function obtains all the unordered images of the
member, causes the order entry channel 114 to display the list of
unordered images on the left-hand side of the display panel as thumbnail
images so as to display a screen for prompting the member to select an
image to be deleted on the order entry channel 114 (FIG. 23B). From the
displayed unordered images, the member selects the image to be deleted by
the same method as in the screen shown in FIG. 22B. The selected
unordered image is deleted from the system album by the album function.

[0449] Upon completing the deletion of the image, the album function again
sums up the stored file sizes of all the unordered images in the system
album of the member to thereby recalculate the free space. Further, the
album function displays the screen shown in FIG. 22B again to prompt the
member to select the upload image. Accordingly, the member can resume the
selection of the upload image as in Step S1060 based on the recalculated
stored file size of the unordered images.

[0450] When the member selects the "reduction of an image size of the
unordered image in the album", the album function obtains all the
unordered images of the member, causes the order entry channel 114 to
display the list of unordered images on the left-hand side of the display
panel as thumbnail images so as to display a screen for prompting the
member to select an image that is to be reduced in image size on the
order entry channel 114 (FIG. 23B). From the displayed unordered images,
the member selects the image that is to be reduced in image size by the
same method as in the screen shown in FIG. 22B. The selected unordered
image is reduced in image size by the album function. Accordingly, the
stored file size of the image is also reduced along with the
above-mentioned processing.

[0451] It should be noted that the reduction of the image size may be
carried out in accordance with the size that is set in advance by the
album function, or may be carried out by allowing the member to select or
input the image file size after the reduction of the image size on the
order entry channel 114. Further, a known method such as thinning may be
employed as the reduction method.

[0452] Upon completing the reduction of the image file size, the album
function again sums up the stored file size of all the unordered images
in the system album of the member, to thereby recalculate the free space.
Further, the screen shown in FIG. 22B is displayed again to prompt the
member to select the upload image. Accordingly, the member can resume the
selection of the upload image as in Step S1060 based on the recalculated
stored file size of the unordered images.

[0453] When the member selects the "compression of the unordered image in
the album", the album function obtains all the unordered images of the
member, causes the order entry channel 114 to display the list of
unordered images on the left-hand side of the display panel as thumbnail
images so as to display a screen for prompting the member to select the
image to be compressed on the order entry channel 114 (FIG. 23B). From
the displayed unordered images, the member selects the image to be
compressed by the same method as in the screen shown in FIG. 22B. The
selected unordered image is compressed by the album function.
Accordingly, the stored file size of the image is reduced along with the
above-mentioned processing.

[0454] It should be noted that the compression of the image file size may
be carried out in accordance with the value set in advance by the album
function, or may be carried out by allowing the member to select or input
a compression format, a compression method, or the like in the order
entry channel 114. Further, a known method may be employed for the
compression.

[0455] Upon completing the compression of the image, the album function
again sums up the stored file sizes of all the unordered images in the
system album of the member, to thereby recalculate the free space.
Further, the screen shown in FIG. 22B is displayed again to prompt the
member to select an upload image. Accordingly, the member can resume the
selection of the upload image as in Step S1060 based on the recalculated
stored file size of the unordered images.

[0456] When the member selects the "change of format of the unordered
image", the album function obtains all the unordered images of the
member, causes the order entry channel 114 to display the list of
unordered images on the left-hand side of the display panel as thumbnail
images so as to display a screen for prompting the member to select the
image whose format is to be changed on the order entry channel 114 (FIG.
23B). From the displayed unordered images, the member selects the image
whose format is to be changed by the same method as in the screen shown
in FIG. 22B. The format of the selected unordered image is changed by the
album function. Thus, the stored file size of the image is reduced along
with the above-mentioned processing.

[0457] Information of the image information table is used in changing the
format. The album function reads out the type of the file format in the
image information table with respect to the selected unordered image.
When the format is, for example, RAW data, the data format is then
converted into a different format such as JPEG data. Color information of
the image data of the RAW data corresponds to 24 bits whereas that of the
image data of the JPEG data corresponds to 8 bits. Thus, the stored file
size of the unordered image is reduced by converting the image of the RAW
data into JPEG data.

[0458] It should be noted that the changing of the format may be carried
out by automatically judging a format in which the stored file size can
be reduced in comparison with the current format for each image in the
album function etc., or in accordance with the format which is selected
or input by the member through the order entry channel 114. Further, a
known method may be employed for the method of changing the format.

[0459] Upon completing the format change of the image, the album function
again sums up the stored file sizes of all the unordered images in the
system album of the member, to thereby recalculate the free space.
Further, the screen shown in FIG. 22B is displayed again to prompt the
member to select an upload image. Accordingly, the member can resume the
selection of the upload image as in Step S1060 based on the recalculated
stored file size of the unordered images.

[0460] In the above-mentioned capacity overflow processing, among the
unordered images which are displayed as thumbnail images, there may be an
image that has already been subjected to the processing of the image size
reduction, the compression, or the format change in the previous capacity
overflow processing. Thus, with respect to the image that has already
been subjected to the processing of the image size reduction, the
compression, or the format change, it is preferable that the processing
content of the image be displayed in such a manner that the member can
recognize the content.

[0461] In view of the above, a processing identifier is assigned to the
image that has already been subjected to the processing of the image size
reduction, the compression, or the format change so that the processed
image can be identified, for example.

[0462] In displaying the thumbnail image, the album function reads the
processing identifier of the displayed unordered image. When the image
has already been subjected to the processing of the image size the
reduction, the compression, or the format change, the album function
displays the processing content that has been applied to the image in
recognizable forms for the member, such as in characters or marks,
together with the thumbnail image.

[0463] Alternatively, information on the processing content of each image
may be held in the image information table in the capacity overflow
processing, so that the album function can display the processing content
by identifying the processed image based on the information held in the
image information table.

[0464] It should be noted that in carrying out the capacity overflow
processing, it is preferable that the upload candidate images which have
been selected up to that moment on the screen shown in FIG. 22B be stored
in the order entry channel 114 or the like prior to the start of the
processing, and in resuming the selection of the upload image after the
capacity overflow processing and after returning to the screen shown in
FIG. 22B, the stored image be displayed as the upload candidate image.
Accordingly, the member can resume the selection of the image from the
same state as in the selection before carrying out the capacity overflow
processing.

[0465] It should be noted that in the third embodiment, the free space is
checked every time an image to be uploaded is selected by the member, and
the capacity overflow processing is carried out if required. However, the
present invention is not limited thereto and the free space may be
checked after all the images to be uploaded have been selected by the
member, and the capacity overflow processing may be carried out
corresponding thereto.

[0466] Further, in carrying out the capacity overflow processing after the
member has selected all the images to be uploaded, the unordered images
may be displayed on the order entry channel 114 in the
ascending/descending order of file sizes in the selection screen of the
unordered image shown in FIG. 23B. Accordingly, for example, in the case
where the member wishes to upload a large number of images, the member
can preferentially select unordered images of large file sizes to
increase the free space of the album, which serves to assist the
selection of an image.

[0467] Alternatively, the unordered images may be displayed on the order
entry channel 114 in the order of dates at which the images are uploaded
to the system album. With this, images with early dates can be
preferentially selected.

[0468] Further, in this embodiment, the stored file size of the image
selected by the member is obtained by the album function and the sum of
the stored file size of images selected by the album function is
calculated, to thereby compare the sum and the maximum storage capacity
of the system album, or to calculate the free space. However, the present
invention is not limited thereto and the order entry channel 114, the
retailer system 118, the lab system 116, or the like may obtain necessary
information such as file sizes to calculate the sum of the stored file
size of the selected images. Further, the comparison between the sum of
the stored file size of the selected images and the maximum storage
capacity of the system album or the calculation of the free space can be
carried out in the order entry channel 114 by transmitting the maximum
storage capacity of the system album to the order entry channel 114 from
the network center 112.

[0469] In addition, the display of the free space of the system album on
the order entry channel 114 in Step S1040 of FIG. 21 is not carried out
only at the time of receiving an upload request, but may be calculated
and displayed every time the member signs in.

[0470] In the third embodiment as described above, the capacity of the
system album is managed in consideration of the total file size of only
the unordered images stored in the system album. However, the present
invention is not limited thereto and the capacity of the system album may
be managed in consideration of the total file size of all the images
stored in the system album, including the ordered image.

[0471] In the case of managing the capacity of the system album
considering the total file size of all the images, when the free space
becomes short in the system album, the capacity overflow processing is
carried out by substantially the same construction and method as in the
embodiment considering the total file size of only the unordered images
as described above.

[0472] When considering the total file size of all the images, the album
function does not carry out the identification of the unordered image by
the order identifier, and sums up the file sizes of all the images stored
in the system album. When the value obtained by adding the sum and the
file size of the image data to be uploaded does not exceed the maximum
storage capacity, the image is uploaded. When the value exceeds the
maximum storage capacity, the capacity overflow processing is carried
out.

[0473] In the case of carrying out the capacity overflow processing, the
order entry channel 114 displays the five types of processing of
"reselection of an image to be uploaded", "deletion of the image in the
album", "reduction in image size of the image in the album", "compression
of the image in the album", and "change of format of the image", and
prompts the member to select the desired processing. Those types of
processing can be carried out for all the images in the system album
irrespective of whether the image is an ordered image or an unordered
image.

[0474] It is only necessary that the processing for respective choices be
carried out in the same manner as in the embodiment considering the file
size of only the unordered image as described above, irrespective of
whether the image is an ordered image or an unordered image.

[0475] As described above, also by managing the capacity of the system
album considering the total file size of all the images, the member can
select and execute the countermeasure on the spot in the case of
exceeding the maximum storage capacity of the album, whereby the desired
image can be stored in the album smoothly.

[0476] As is apparent from the description above, according to the third
embodiment of the present invention, the file sizes of only the unordered
images are summed up among the images stored in the system album of the
network center 112, and the file sizes of the images in the system album
are managed based on whether the sum exceeds the maximum storage capacity
or not. Further, the member is notified of the transmittable file size.
Placement of an order allows the member to upload more images to the
network center 112. Thus, the order in the network system 110 is
promoted.

[0477] Further, in uploading the image in the network center 112, when the
capacity is overloaded, the member can upload the desired image smoothly
since the countermeasure for transmitting the image is presented to the
member and the member can select and execute the countermeasure on the
spot. Accordingly, the image can be stored in the album smoothly in the
desired manner of the member.

[0478] In addition, the countermeasure for transmitting the image can be
presented to the member not only with respect to the unordered image but
also with respect to all the images stored in the album, whereby the
member can store the desired image in the album smoothly even in the case
of exceeding the maximum storage capacity.

[0479] As described above, the center server of the image network system
according to the present invention has been described in detail. However,
the present invention is not limited to the embodiments above, and may of
course be variously changed or modified within the range that does not
depart from the gist of the present invention.

[0480] The above described first to third embodiments may be performed
either alone or in any combination of two or three of them appropriately.
For example, in the first embodiment, the album setting may be made
according to the storage condition based on the retention counts in the
second embodiment, and further, the overflow processing of the third
embodiment may be performed in the case of a capacity shortage of an
album. Similarly, it is possible to perform the first and the second
embodiments, the first and the third embodiments, or the second and the
third embodiments, in combination.